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THE COUNTRYMAN 



I 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


BY 

C. K. HENDERSON 

u 


New York and Washington 
THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY 
1907 


V ImhWf of CONGRESS J 

i Two Coots* Sfesived ' 


| AUG 7 30 f j 

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< «mTX%., Mi 

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Copyright, 1907, by 
The Neale Publishing Company 


TO THE FRIENDS 
OF 

FELLOWSHIP AND PROGRESS 


THE COUNTRYMAN 













CHAPTER I 


“Do you know Toliver Holman f ” 

This question was asked me one day by 
Aunt Riney, the widowed aunt of Holman. 

“Of course, Aunt Riney/ ’ I replied, “I 
know ‘Tod’; for thus he was familiarly 
called by all when he was a boy. ’ ’ 

“Well/’ said Aunt Riney, sighing, “he 
was one of the finest lads I ever knew ; but 
I have been hurt with him. He has been 
out West for years, and here I have been 
all this time driven from pillar to post. ’ ’ 
“Does he not write to you, Aunt Riney f ” 
“Rarely,” she replied; “but his pres- 
ence is what I want. He ought to be here ; 
I am a lonely woman.” 

It was harrowing to my feelings to wit- 
ness the desolation of this aristocratic wo- 
man, especially because I knew the history 
of the Holmans of Holman Hall. I en- 
deavored to console her by suggesting the 
prospects of better times, but she shook her 
head and answered, 


10 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“I remember that George Eliot said that 
‘they who never sat on a cushion don’t 
know the loss of one,’ and I tell you I have 
sat on many a cushion in my time, and silk 
ones at that.” 

I had put myself in fullest sympathy with 
Aunt Riney and I could not refrain from 
saying to her, 

“Your troubles have been many, Aunt 
Riney, and hard to be borne; but my 
grandmother used to tell me, what can’t be 
cured must be endured.” 

Aunt Riney looked at me over her spec- 
tacles in a way that made me feel that I 
could not tell her what to do. After a 
pause she responded, 

“I will tell you what, young man, I will 
never be reconciled to the ways and doings 
of the Hunters. I can’t endure them. They 
have no right to Holman Hall and it’s 
wrong for them to live there. If I were 
a man — but perhaps I should not say that. 
I am a woman, and a mighty lonesome one 
at that.” 

“You have friends, Aunt Riney,” I re- 
turned, endeavoring to comfort her. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


11 


“Yes, yes; but right is right; you have 
been absent yourself for years and you 
don’t know everything that has been done.” 

I had to admit this, for I left Pike 
County, Alabama, in the beginning of the 
war between the States, and I had to learn 
from Aunt Riney the history of the Hol- 
mans. Accordingly I inquired of her, 

“What became of the owner of Holman 
Hall?” 

I I He went to the war. ’ 9 

‘ 6 How came the Hunters to be in Holman 
Hall?” 

“They stole it.” 

Aunt Riney was very matter-of-fact in 
her way of speaking about the Hunters. 

“How could they steal it, Aunt Riney?” 
I asked, surprise manifested in my tone. 

“I can’t look on the possession in any 
other light than a steal, or a robbery; but 
what is the difference?” Aunt Riney an- 
swered, with some qualification of her pre- 
vious language. 

“None in principle, assuming the fact to 
be as you have stated it. ’ ’ 


12 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“Well, to make a long story short I will 
tell yon a few things,” 

“If you please, Aunt Riney; I am eager 
to know them.” 

Aunt Riney groaned a little louder than 
she had done previously, then she began : 

“My brother, Captain Holman, was an 
officer in the Confederate Army, and was 
captured at Seven Pines. No word has 
been received from him since his capture. 
We have never known what became of 
him. ’ ’ 

“No one ever wrote to you about him?” 
was my quick response. 

“No one. That was the greatest blow 
that befell our family. The loss of the ne- 
groes was nothing compared with that . 9 9 

“Nor the loss of the estate,” I added. 

“Nothing was so great a loss. We had 
preferred to know that Captain Holman 
was dead than to have suffered, and to suf- 
fer now, such dreadful suspense touching 
his fate.” 

“It has been nearly twelve years, Aunt 
Riney, since the battle of Seven Pines.” 

“They have seemed like twice twelve to 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


13 


me. On my husband's death I went to live 
with my sister-in-law. After a while the 
Yankees began to overrun the South. Gen- 
eral Wilson's army came to our home and 
we ‘ refugeed. ' My brother's wife had some 
gold that was hoarded for hard times, and 
on this we lived until the close of the war. 
Then we returned, as we supposed, to our 
old home." 

“But you did not live in it?" 

“No; that was like the bitterness of 
death to us. The Hunters were in it. And 
there they are now, and I shall never die 
satisfied until we get our rights. We lived 
on a rented farm until Tod went to the 
West. There was a constant clash between 
the Hunters and our servants. Tod had 
the spirit of his father and he would take 
nothing from the Hunters. Sometimes our 
stock would break into the fields where the 
Hunters worked, and when the negroes 
would go for them the Hunters would beat 
them. That would trouble sister, and Tod 
and the Hunters would be certain to have 
an encounter. One day Tod met one of the 
Hunter boys and said to him, ‘You are an 


14 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


infernal scoundrel! You have beaten our 
negroes . 9 Then the boy struck Tod with a 
stick, but Tod stretched him bleeding on 
the ground. I was so glad that I did not 
know what to do, but sister worried all the 
more. She had troubles enough before the 
Hunters came, and now she began to grow 
weak. She would not go out; partly be- 
cause her circumstances were so different 
from what they once were. When she could 
not go as she once did she would not go at 
all. Oftentimes she would not gratify the 
curiosity of those who called just to see 
how she was. ” 

“I well understand her pride, Aunt 
Riney.” 

“True, her pride was great; but her 
grief for her lost husband was greater.” 

“0 that she could have gotten a letter 
from him!” I exclaimed. 

“Yes, the suspense and suffering were 
too great. At last, sister died. I was so 
lonely. Then Tod had to go to school. ’ 9 

“ And what became of you during that 
time?” 

“Ah, I lived somehow. The gold that 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


15 


had been boarded supported me and kept 
Tod in school. Still, be bad to supplement 
bis support by bis own efforts. ’ ’ 

“He could more easily do that, Aunt 
Riney, in the North, where Tod went.” 

“It was all against my wishes that Tod 
went North. I didn’t want him to have 
anything to do with people who had taken 
our property from us. But the younger 
generation never suffered what the older 
ones did, and I reckon that they are more 
forgiving on that account. Tod would go 
to Yale.” 

“I have no doubt that broadened him.” 

“But I wanted him taught hv our folks. 
I didn’t want any Yankee notions put into 
Tod’s head.” Aunt Riney was positive. 

“But, Aunt Riney, his Northern educa- 
tion was a payment in part for the loss he 
sustained in property.” 

“Don’t talk to me about that. Nothing 
can pay our losses. I don’t want to say 
too much, sir, hut when I think of our losses 
it makes me feel mighty unforgiving like.” 

Feeling that enough had been said about 
the loss of property, I directed the con- 


16 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


versation another way, and began to ask 
about Tod Holman. Aunt Riney freely 
told me all that she knew about him, and 
informed me that be went West, after his 
graduation, to better his fortunes and wait 
for better times. I hinted that perhaps he 
should have stayed with her, but she re- 
plied that there had been so much conflict 
between him and the Hunters that Tod 
thought it best for him to be absent for a 
term of years. Then I asked why did not 
Tod attempt to recover the Holman estate 
so unjustly held by the Hunters. 

“Because,” was the reply, “the times 
were dangerous. In Reconstruction times 
the courts were uncertain. Besides, bush- 
whackers abounded.” 

“But,” I insisted, “the law should re- 
store the property to the rightful owner 
now.” 

“Something should be done; but how, 
sir? Tod is absent, the only heir, and I 
could not bring a suit in my name. If the 
property were mine — but I must curb my 
speech.” 

I left Aunt Riney to her own reflections. 


CHAPTER II 


The story of Aunt Riney moved my 
sympathies. Nothing has saddened me 
more than the desolation wrought by our 
civil war. The destruction of property was 
a minor quantity compared with the break- 
ing down of the family prestige and pride 
that were dependent on that property. 
Loss of tone and weakened public spirit 
resulted from the ruin of the aristocrats, 
and in the wide-spread demoralization wo- 
men suffered the most. Those women 
chiefly who had been accustomed to luxury 
seemed to have the least resilience of spirit 
in the midst of the misfortunes that over- 
took them. 

After due consideration of all the facts 
in the case, I determined to do what I could 
to relieve the troubles of Aunt Riney. 
Within a few days after I heard her story 
I sought the schoolmaster, Tol Strickland, 
a friend of the Holmans, and a man inti- 


18 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


mate with Toliver Holman until the latter 
went to the West. I endeavored to extract 
from him all that I conld of Tod’s history, 
and felt free to ask the direct question, 

“ Where is Toliver Holman ?” 

“I do not know exactly,” answered 
Strickland. 

“You have not heard from him re- 
cently?” 

“It has been some time since.” 

“Where was he when you last heard 
from him?” 

“Near Abilene, Texas. But Tod moves 
about . 9 9 

“What has he been doing?” 

‘ ‘ Finding experience . 9 9 

“And he found it?” 

“Yes. He was a hunter for a time, then 
he went with the cowboys, fought Indians, 
grew tired of that life, and turned to be a 
teacher. ’ 9 

“I suppose, Tol, that he had to do that in 
order to make a living . 9 9 

“True; he did not take much money 
with him. The most was left for Aunt 
Riney.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


19 


“The troubles at home drove him West, 
did they not?” 

“Partly; but Tod is an adventurous 
spirit anyway.” 

“I have no doubt that he has found much 
excitement in the West?” 

“Ah, sir, the sad memories of his home, 
I have no doubt, outweighed all excite- 
ment. 9 9 

This remark of the schoolmaster caused 
me to make up my mind fully, but I dis- 
closed my purpose to no one. I had trav- 
eled a good deal in my life, and now my 
mind was made up to find Toliver Holman 
if I could, and bring him home. Within 
one month I had my trunk packed and was 
on the way to New Orleans. From thence 
I went to El Paso, Texas, and set out for 
the Pan Handle. I hunted and mixed with 
the cowboys as much as I could. I spent 
several months on the plains, but found 
no one who could give me any account of 
Toliver Holman. 

• The summer was now on in good earnest 
and I felt that I must return for fear that 
I should contract malaria. My trip in 


20 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


search of Holman was fruitless, save my 
delightful experiences in hunting and in 
seeing a new country. 

In July of the year 1874 I sought the 
nearest railway station and took the train 
for New Orleans, considerably dampened 
in my feelings because I had been disap- 
pointed in the main object of my trip. I 
spent one week in the city of New Orleans, 
even at the risk of contracting fever. In 
order to see something of the life of that 
great city I went into some forbidden 
places merely through curiosity. I ob- 
served the ways of many, and learned to 
fear the more. I saw near the French 
market, one evening, two men struggling 
together. One shouted help, while the other 
snatched himself away and ran. The inci- 
dent created some excitement. 

I was stopping at the St. Charles Hotel, 
and on my return that evening on looking 
over the register I observed the name of 
one T. H. Holman. About an hour after 
this there came into the hotel a man who 
had the appearance of the one I saw strug- 
gling with the pickpocket. Eager to know, 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


21 


if possible, the story of the struggle that 
I had just witnessed, I approached the 
stranger and asked, 

“Did you not have an encounter with a 
man near the French market an hour or 
so ago?” 

“I did, sir.” 

“And the reason, if I may ask?” 

“I saw the villain seize the purse of an 
old woman and run. Then I followed him, 
keeping in the shadows of the streets. At 
last he came into the crowd near the French 
market. I watched my chance. He was 
going away when I seized him and shouted 
for help, but in some way he broke away. 
He was a slick fellow.” 

‘ ‘ And your name ? ’ ’ 

1 1 Holman. ’ ’ 

1 ‘ Toliver Holman ? ’ ’ 

“Yes, sir. I am on my way home.” 
“You are the man I have been looking 
for. I have sought you the country over, if 
you will excuse the exaggeration. ” 

On making known to him my name and 
purpose, I soon convinced him that I knew 


22 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


his family history, and he at once asked 
about Aunt Riney. 

After another day in New Orleans we 
bought our tickets for the homeward jour- 
ney, passed through Montgomery, and 
finally came in sight of Holman Hall, and 
broke the news to Aunt Riney. 

After greeting his aunt, Tod said, 

“Once I thought that I would bury my- 
self in the West, Aunt Riney.’ ’ 

“I have been buried here, Tod. Why did 
you leave your aunty alone!” 

“It seemed hard that I did so, yet I was 
full of concern for you. You suffered in 
mind, but not in body, my dear Aunty. ’ ’ 

“I had bread, but I ate it in bitterness of 
soul. ’ ’ 

“I tasted bitter things in the West, but 
nothing exceeded the sad memories of my 
home. Wherever I roamed my heart fondly 
turned to home and you. But, Aunt Riney, 
what has happened to Holman Hall!” 

“The Hunters still live in it.” 

“Ah, that should not be ! I will demand 
of old man Hunter the return of my fath- 
er’s estate, even if I have to grapple with 
him hand to hand.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


23 


I interrupted at this moment, saying, 
“I think, Tod, that you should do so. 
You owe it to your sense of right, to your 
manhood, and to your love for Aunt 
Riney. ’ 9 

Aunt Riney ’s eye flashed with a look of 
indignation as she said, 

“You must, Tod, for I am tired of living 
from pillar to post. I never thought that I 
would come to that . 1 ’ 

“I have my plans, Aunt Riney, and my 
purpose is made up. I have sowed my wild 
oats and I have reaped a harvest. I hope 
that I have reformed. In all the confusion 
of the times I have seen a new life rising 
out of the chaos of the old.” 

“If you had Holman Hall, Tod, you 
would have your proper base of action. ’ 9 
“Precisely, Aunty. That is my right. 
My mind is made up. I will demand what 
is my own ; and what is more, I shall have 
it. Somebody must move.” 

“The sooner the better, Tod.” 

Pleased with what I had heard, I re- 
turned home and left Tod to mature his 
plans. 


CHAPTER III 


It was a question with Tod how to pro- 
ceed. He had been away so long that he 
appeared like a stranger to many, and that 
made it more important to gain the sym- 
pathies of friends. He had need of caution 
and conservatism. It was all important to 
have something to do, get into work of 
some kind, and make himself useful, if pos- 
sible, to the community. 

The first year after his return was a very 
busy one to Tod. In the fall he taught 
school, and in the spring of the next year 
he undertook to farm on rented land, meet- 
ing with a measure of success. The 
thought that he had become a renter, or 
tenant, grated on his feelings and wounded 
his sense of dignity; but he consoled him- 
self, in part, with the thought that a suc- 
cessful farmer could not be hurt much in 
the eyes of his neighbors. Taking that 
view of the situation, Tod could bear with 
the fact that he had become a farmer, and 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


25 


hope for the time to come when he should 
be a planter as his father had been. That 
time he felt would surely come in the re- 
covery of the Holman plantation. 

Aunt Riney was very persistent. One 
day she drew her chair near to Tod and 
provoked him by saying, 

“The Hunters will never let you have 
any peace of mind, Tod. ’ ’ 

With a little more abruptness than usual 
for Tod, he snapped out, 

“My peace of mind does not depend upon 
the Hunters.” 

“You had better watch them, Tod.” 

1 ‘ They have more reason to fear me than 
I have to fear them. One thing is certain, 
I want no Hunter to feel easy as long as 
his foot pollutes the estate of my father. 
Let the Hunters unfold themselves as they 
may. I disdain the men and their meth- 
ods.” 

Aunt Riney sighed, shook her head, and 
said, 

“They are only half-breeds anyway.” 

“Let us not pursue this subject any fur- 


26 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


tlier, Aunt Riney. The wind begins to rise 
anyway. We must seek another place.” 

When the Hunters entered Holman Hall 
the negroes on the place felt the incongru- 
ity of the situation and talked about it. 
Some of them left, others sulked, but no one 
was more indignant than Uncle Harbard, 
an hereditary servant of the Holmans. 
Uncle Harbard was one of the first to meet 
Tod after his return and welcome him back. 
Tod was very fond of him, and often en- 
couraged him to talk. Once he put the 
question to him just to hear the old darky 
express himself, 

“How do you like your new master, 
Uncle Harbard?” 

With a peculiar shuffle, Uncle Harbard 
straightened himself back and answered, 

“ ’Fore Gawd, Mr. Tod, I ain’t got no 
new marster. I don’t like dem Hunters no 
way, but I has to stay wid ’em. I’m too ole 
to move about, an’ I don’t feel at home no- 
where ’cep ’in’ on our plantation. I wish 
my ole marster could come back.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


27 


‘ ‘If lie should, there would he lively times 
at Holman Hall. ” 

“Well, I wish dat he’d come. Pd help 
him to make it lively. Dem Hunters ain’t 
got manners like my white folks, nohow.” 

“Manners have to be bred into folks, 
Uncle Harbard.” 

“Hat’s so, Mr. Tod; an’ I belongs to de 
quality, I does. I was born an’ bred among 
’em. ’ ’ 

When Uncle Harbard said that he 
showed his white teeth and chuckled. Tod 
laughed with him, but not wishing to con- 
tinue the conversation further, he said, 

“It is cool, Uncle Harbard, and Aunt 
Riney needs a fire.” 

“Sarvant, sir. I’ll see dat she has one. 
I loves Miss Riney like my own folks.” 

Uncle Harbard shuffled off to make the 
fire and Tod busied himself about the 
house. 


CHAPTER IV 


Tod consulted several lawyers with re- 
gard to the recovery of Holman Hall, and 
received from them assurances that a suit 
to recover the property would now be suc- 
cessful. Accordingly he decided to enter 
suit at the August term of court. The Hun- 
ters were alarmed and active. Gossips were 
busy. At this time a note was brought to 
Tod by a servant of Dr. Longshore, of 
Hillsboro. It read thus: 

“My dear Mr. Holman: 

‘ ‘ The bearer will deliver this note to you 
by my request. I hope that you may find it 
convenient to come to my home at once, as 
I desire to see you for my own sake. Be- 
sides, there is a gentleman here who wishes 
to see you on business connected with 
Holman Hall. 

4 ‘Hoping to see you at once, 

“I am, truly yours, etc., 

“Dr. Longshore.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


29 


This note aroused Tod’s curiosity. He 
showed it to Aunt Riney, who said, 

“That’s some lawyer trying to get up a 
compromise for those Hunters.” 

“No, Aunt Riney. I think that the Hun- 
ters have some plot up, and some friend, 
not wishing to be seen at Holman Hall, is 
seeking to inform me. ’ ’ 

“I told you that the Hunters would never 
let you rest.” 

“It seems that they are having less rest 
than anybody. ’ 9 

Tod made haste to obey the request of 
Dr. Longshore, who lived some six miles 
away. Within a few hours he was at his 
home. 

When Tod arrived Dr. Longshore was 
away attending to a patient. While wait- 
ing for the Doctor to return, Gertrude, the 
eldest daughter, entertained Tod. He de- 
clared to Gertrude that his curiosity had 
been very much excited by the note of her 
father, and politely asked her to tell him 
who wished to see him. She declared that 
she did not know, but treating him a little 
playfully she added, 


30 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“ We all wish to see you, Tod; you have 
been away so long. ’ 9 

4 ‘Yes, as you would look upon any 
strange thing. I am pleased to see you, 
Gertrude, yet I have no desire to exhibit 
myself as an object of curiosity since my 
sojourn in the West.” 

“But you have friends, Tod.” 

“I hope to make friends, for I shall need 
them. But I am eager to know what friend 
wishes to see me. I am restive as long as 
I am held in suspense.” 

“I am sorry that I can’t interest you, 

Tod, but ” Gertrude hesitated, then 

looked out of the window and exclaimed, 
“Here comes my father now, and another 
with him . 9 9 

Tod looked out of the window and saw a 
man with a long white beard walking be- 
side Dr. Longshore, and said to Gertrude 
wonderingly, “Who can it be 1 99 

He went to the front piazza, and Dr. 
Longshore, on seeing him, cried out, 

“This is Captain Holman, Tod.” 

‘ ‘ What ! My father ! ’ 9 

“My boy!” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


31 


Then they fell on each other’s neck and 
wept, son and father. The scene cannot be 
described. Oh, the joy and sadness of that 
meeting, and the greater grief when the 
father came in sight of Holman Hall ! 

After Captain Holman had affectionately 
greeted Annt Riney he told to her the story 
of his life since his capture at Seven Pines 
more than twelve years before. 

“I was captured at the battle of Seven 
Pines and carried a prisoner to Rock Is- 
land, Illinois,” said the Captain, “I had 
said that I would never surrender to a 
Yankee; but my company was totally sur- 
rounded and I felt that they had rights 
that I was bound to respect. Then there 
were the loved ones at home whom I 
thought of. 

“Nearly all that I had was taken from 
me, but as my boots were not searched 
they stood me in good stead, serving to 
conceal my pistol. I had some little money 
left to me. I cannot tell yon all that I suf- 
fered, for I do not wish to stir up undue 
feeling. I desire to forget the horrors of 
war as much as I can, yet there is one thing 


32 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


that I can never forget, and it is hard for 
me to forgive it.” 

Tod eagerly asked to know what that 
was. 

“Well, my boy, it is an unpleasant story, 
and one of awful memory, because it 
brought me more suffering than all else in 
my life. But here it is. A man was driving 
a commissary wagon to the prison, when a 
captain on duty ordered me to open a gate 
for the wagon to pass through. I looked 
and saw that the driver was a nigger. My 
blood fairly boiled. I felt that the Captain 
desired to humiliate me. He seemed to be 
different from the rest of the officers, and 
I don’t think that he liked me any way. 
My mind was made up, and I said to him, 
‘I will not open a gate for a damned nigger, 
nor for a damned blue-mouth Yankee!’ 
Then the Captain came up to me and struck 
me with a whip. There were other officers 
looking on, and, mad as I was, I had to use 
some discretion. I said to him, ‘Do not 
strike me again ! ’ Then he rapidly lashed 
me several times. That so enraged me that 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


33 


I reached down into my boot, drew out my 
pistol, and shot him dead.” 

“And vindicated your self-respect, 
father.” 

“I could not take everything, my boy, 
although I was a prisoner.” 

“It makes me feel proud of you, father.” 

‘ ‘ That was the first time a lash was ever 
laid on me. If I had not resented it I should 
be ashamed to face you now.” 

“Oh, brother, it is a great wonder that 
the other officers did not shoot you, or hang 
you!” exclaimed Aunt Riney. 

“But, Riney, there is a divinity that 
shapes our ends. But let me go on. Prov- 
idence always raises up friends for us.” 

“And fortune favors the brave, I have 
heard it said, ’ * cheerily rhymed in Tod. 

“Of course I had to have a trial, and 
there is fairness even in war and among 
one’s enemies.” 

“Your case must have been a desperate 
one, father.” 

“I despaired of my life, my son, and my 


3 


34 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


chief thought was that my name would not 
go down altogether in dishonor . 9 9 

“I rejoice, father, that no heritage of 
dishonor attaches to your name.” 

“The killing I regret, son; but let that 
go. In the trial I was allowed to choose 
two men to represent my case. ’ 9 

“Two!” Tod leaped up, sat down, and 
said, “I wonder, father, that any one was 
found willing to represent you.” 

“All humanity was not wanting, even to 
Yankees, my son. When I shot the Captain 
I heard two men say that I treated him just 
right; that he should not have struck a 
prisoner. These two men were officers, and 
I chose them to represent me in the trial. ’ 9 

“And they did not fail you?” 

“No. The others wanted to hang me, 
but the men I chose said that they could 
never bear to see that done. After a long 
debate they agreed to send me to prison for 
twelve years.” 

“And all that time, brother, we could 
hear nothing from you. It was too cruel !” 
said Aunt Riney. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


35 


4 4 The authorities would neither let me 
write, Riney, nor receive a letter/ ’ 

“0 that mother could have known your 
fate, father ! May he that would have pro- 
longed her life. 9 ’ 

“It seemed to me that I spent forty years 
in prison, instead of twelve. It was the 
saddest part of my imprisonment that I 
could hear nothing from home. ,, 

“Brother, your return compensates me 
for much that I have suffered,” said Aunt 
Riney soothingly. 

“Father, we have not much left to us,” 
said Tod, “but we shall endeavor to glad- 
den the remainder of your life.” 

“My son, I shall be grateful to you for 
all that you may do for me, yet I can’t be as 
happy as I wish to be, so long as strangers 
unjustly lodge in Holman Hall.” 

“I have made arrangements, father, to 
bring suit in the August term of court for 
the possession of the property.” 

“But, my son, I mean to see old man 
Hunter and demand the place of him before 
I go into court.” 

“I will go with you, father.” 


36 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“No, that would seem to indicate a 
threat. I wish to make no show of force. 
I shall go alone. ’ ’ 

“It will never do for you to trust your- 
self alone into the hands of the Hunters,” 
replied Tod. 

“Who hath his quarrel just is doubly 
armed, Tod.” 

“But, father, justice is not always a pro- 
tection against violence. If there were any 
sense of justice in the Hunters they would 
restore your property to you. ’ ’ 

“A threat, my son, would not sooner 
cause them to act justly. Besides, a threat 
would not become me as a gentleman.” 

“I assent to that, father.” 

“Again, my boy, if I should go to them 
in company they would attribute that to 
cowardice in me.” 

“I do not wish you to do anything that 
would seem to compromise your manhood, 
father; but I dread to have you go to the 
Hunters alone.” 

“My resolution is good to do so, Tod.” 

“I want you to go, brother,” said Aunt 
Riney. 

“At a proper time I shall, Riney.” 


CHAPTER Y 


The return of Captain Holman made 
much talk for every one, and there was a 
sensation of suprise and gladness on the 
part of kindred and friends when they 
heard of his arrival. The story of his im- 
prisonment got abroad and aroused much 
interest, and no little admiration for the 
man because he shot the Yankee captain for 
striking him with a whip. 

The question was freely and frequently 
asked by the neighbors, “I wonder what 
Captain Holman will do to the Hunters ! ’ ’ 
Every one knew that the title to Holman 
Hall now occupied by the Hunters really 
was vested in Captain Holman. The Hun- 
ters claimed possession by an event of war 
and rested their claims on what was really 
believed to be an invalid title given to the 
Hunters when the country was overrun by 
Northern troops. Taking this view of the 
situation, many said, “I reckon the Hun- 
ters must feel uneasy now.” 


38 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


Some men ventured to say that the 
Hunters had held the estate in peaceable 
possession for ten years and that it would 
be difficult on that account to dispossess 
them. But Dr. Longshore declared that 
no fraudulent military title could vacate 
the rights of the original owner. 

Fourteen Brown created some sensation 
when he said, 

4 ^ If it were my property I would take my 
shotgun on my shoulder and ride to Hol- 
man Hall and order the Hunters out. If 
they would not get out, I would shoot them 
out! Yes, sir; Jack, Tom, and the old man 
would have to get out, or I would shoot the 
liver out of the last damned one of them ! ’ ’ 
Tol Strickland suggested to Brown that 
the Hunters themselves might do a little 
shooting, to which Brown quickly replied, 
“I would help them do all the shooting 
they could wish for. I would not be beat 
out of a house and home by the Hunters. ’ ’ 
When Uncle Harbard heard the talk that 
was going the rounds he shook his head 
and said, 

“If I was ole Marster I’d have dat place 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


39 


or die, an’ ef lie comes fur it while I’m at 
Holman Hall I’ll help him to git it; ’ca’se 
dis is our home. I ain’t been sufferin’ all 
dese days for nothin’.” 

While the friends of Captain Holman 
were expressing themselves in his favor it 
must be understood that the Hunters were 
not idle, and that they had their say as well 
as other folks. It was reported that the 
elder Hunter had said that no one could 
take Holman Hall away from him as long 
as he and his two boys were alive. Also it 
was whispered about that it would be 
dangerous for Captain Holman to begin a 
suit for the recovery of the property. In 
view of these things, people asked over and 
over again, “What will Captain Holman 
do?” 

Captain Holman did not make haste to 
see the Hunters. He made no open state- 
ment of his purpose to call upon them. 
Only Tod and Aunt Riney heard him say, 
“At a proper time I shall go to see the 
Hunters.” He acted with great dignity 
and self-possession, and gave sufficient 
time for matters to settle themselves, as 


40 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


far as possible, before be went to Holman 
Hall. He reflected that, as rightful owner, 
he was entitled to the back rents for ten 
years, but since the times had been troub- 
lous, and were evil now, he determined to 
make no demand for the rent, but to be 
satisfied if the Hunters would consent to 
leave the place. The Hunters had made 
considerable money since their occupancy, 
and that alone, Captain Holman thought, 
was a sufficient recompense to them. He 
conceived that they should be glad to leave 
on such easy terms as he would propose, 
and that by a little discretion they might be 
saved both trouble and money. 

Time wore on, and Captain Holman 
made as good use of it as possible. He 
renewed the old friendships and talked of 
the old times, but in public he was entirely 
reticent with regard to the Hunters and 
Holman Hall. The October days came. 
The fields were white with cotton, and 
wagons rolled along the roads loaded with 
bales of the fleecy staple on the way to 
market. When Captain Holman saw them 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


41 


lie was painfully reminded of the time when 
Uncle Harbard used to drive his teams to 
market. However, he did not repine, but 
it only increased his resolution to go to 
Holman Hall and make his demand of Hun- 
ter. It was one October morning that a 
horse was saddled for Captain Holman to 
ride to the Hall. The trees showed an 
abundance of color, both green and yellow. 
The time of the year invited meditation, 
and truly the situation was full of melan- 
choly as the Captain rode the three miles 
to his destination. 

When he reached the scene of his early 
life the associations of other days came 
thick and fast into his mind, and for a time 
he was overpowered by what he felt and 
saw. The grove in which stood the ma- 
jestic oaks and magnolias was the same as 
when Captain Holman left it when he vol- 
unteered for the war. But the place showed 
signs of neglect. The walks leading to the 
Hall had not been kept. Weeds grew in 
corners, gates were down, and everything 
showed a ramshackle condition. When he 
saw all this he could not repress a groan. 


42 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


As the Captain stood reflecting on all 
that he saw, suddenly he was greeted by 
Dr. Longshore and Fourteen Brown. 

“What are you doing here, gentlemen !” 
pleasantly inquired the Captain. 

“We are shooting squirrels, Captain. 
There are so many since the war. Besides, 
the day is so fine that we like to be out. 
Won’t you join us!” asked Dr. Longshore. 

“No, thank you ; I have no gun . ’ 9 

Then Fourteen Brown approached Cap- 
tain Holman, and pointing toward his waist 
said, 

“I see that you have on your Confed- 
erate army belt.” 

“Yes, Brown, that is associated with so 
many war memories that I frequently put 
it on when I go out. But if I had taken a 
second thought I should have left it off this 
morning . 9 9 

“You are not looking for trouble, are 
you!” inquired Dr. Longshore curiously. 

“No, I am a peaceable man. I have seen 
enough of war. My blood has cooled . 9 9 

“You are in a war-like neighborhood 
now, Captain,” spoke up Brown. “I fear 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


43 


that the Hunters will construe your pres- 
ence here as a sign of danger to them, espe- 
cially if they see your war-belt. ’ ’ 

“But you and Dr. Longshore can help 
me to maintain peace.’ ’ 

“We saw the Hunters just a few minutes 
before we saw you, riding along the road, 
with guns in their hands, ’ ’ said Brown. 

“They are hunting squirrels as you and 
Dr. Longshore are,” responded Captain 
Holman. 

“It may be, Captain; but it has come to 
my ears that the Hunters have said since 
your return they will never be caught with- 
out their guns; that they did not know 
what might happen.” Brown paused. 

“A confession of weakness on the part 
of the Hunters,” Captain Holman replied, 
then turned to Dr. Longshore and asked, 
“Don’t you think so, Doctor?” 

“True, but that does not alter the cir- 
cumstances of danger. The Hunters have 
heard that you killed a Yankee captain.” 

“But I did that in self-defense. I am 
unarmed and I mean to assault no one. My 
simple purpose is to ask the elder Hunter 


44 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


to give up my estate, and I wish to do so 
unaccompanied by any one. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Then it will be improper for Brown and 
me to remain here, lest the Hunters should 
imagine, if they should come up, that we 
have come to take them,” observed Dr. 
Longshore. 

Scarcely had this speech been uttered 
when Fourteen Brown whispered, as he 
looked down the road. 

“Yonder comes old man Hunter and his 
two boys, Jack and Tom, now.” 

“Let us assure them of peace,” was Cap- 
tain Holman’s advice. 

All agreed to that and awaited the ad- 
vance of the Hunters. 

Captain Holman was sitting on his horse, 
while Brown and Dr. Longshore were 
standing near him with their rifles in their 
hands. When the elder Hunter approached 
within thirty steps he shouted out, 

‘ ‘ I know what you want ; but no damned 
Holman can have my place ! ’ 9 

Then he raised his rifle and fired it at 
Captain Holman, thinking, no doubt, that 
his death would further the interest of the 
Hunters. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


45 


At the crack of Hunter’s rifle Captain 
Holman fell from his horse. Brown and 
Dr. Longshore were so amazed by the sud- 
den assault of the elder Hunter that for a 
moment they stood dazed and speechless. 
Jack and Tom Hunter jumped behind trees, 
evidently looking for a shot from the rifles 
of Brown and Dr. Longshore. The elder 
Hunter, supposing that he had killed Cap- 
tain Holman, was about to leave. To the 
surprise of all, Captain Holman raised him- 
self up, seized the gun of Brown, and when 
he fired it the elder Hunter fell dead from 
his saddle. When Jack and Tom Hunter 
saw their father fall to the ground they ran 
with all their might to a place of safety, 
evidently imagining that other shots would 
follow. That surely would have been the 
case had not they beat a hasty retreat. 

‘ ‘ Are you hurt much, Captain ? ’ ’ inquired 
Dr. Longshore, bending over his friend. 

“I think, Doctor, that I am shot through 
my bowels.” 

On examination it was found that the ball 
from Hunter’s rifle had struck right in the 
center of the metal buckle of Captain Hoi- 


46 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


man’s belt. It cupped the brass but did 
not penetrate it. For the moment the Cap- 
tain was bent double from the impact of 
the ball, and felt great pain, but thanks to 
the buckle his life was spared. 

When Captain Holman was carried to 
his home Aunt Riney almost fainted. Tod 
swore vengeance and was ready to go in 
pursuit of Jack and Tom Hunter, but the 
death of the elder Hunter made him less 
eager to pursue them. In addition to that. 
Captain Holman strongly objected to any 
thought of vengeance. Tod, notwithstand- 
ing, declared that Jack Hunter should 
never again lodge in Holman Hall. 

“ And I will help you see to it, Tod,” was 
the quick response of Fourteen Brown. 

“Jack Hunter will not return soon, for 
fear that he will be arrested as particeps 
criminis in the assault on Captain Hol- 
man,” said Dr. Longshore. 

“But he will return after a while,” 
answered Tod. 

“True. He has interests here, and Jack 
Hunter will hear that your father is not 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


47 


dead, things will quiet down, and then he 
will return.” 

“But, Doctor, the grand jury will be 
bound to find a bill against him. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Certainly. They will also be compelled 
to indict Captain Holman for homicide.” 

“But I do not fear the result, since you 
and Brown were witnesses of the killing. 9 ’ 

The trial will cost you something, Tod, 
but the jury will assuredly bring in a ver- 
dict of justifiable homicide in favor of your 
father . 9 ’ 

“But they can’t acquit Jack Hunter.” 
vehemently affirmed Tod. 

“I agree, Tod, that Jack Hunter’s case 
is a serious one. He and Tom both fired 
their guns when they got behind the trees 
after your father was shot down. For- 
tunately, no one was struck.” 

“That makes them both partners in guilt 
in the attempt to murder my father.” 

“Just as truly as though they had shot 
a man,” said Dr. Longshore. 

“They deserve the full penalty of the 
law. Just to think that my father should 
have been assaulted by ruffians on his own 


48 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


premises ! I will never submit to that, Dr. 
Longshore . 9 9 

‘ ‘ There is a matter to be reckoned with, 
Tod, that perhaps you have not thought 
of . 9 9 

“Perhaps so, Doctor.” 

“Jack Hunter believes in a hereafter.” 
The Doctor purposely expressed this 
thought ambiguously. 

In order to know his meaning exactly, 
Tod inquired, 

“You do not mean to say, Doctor, that 
the thought of a future life will influence 
Jack Hunter!” 

“I mean that Jack Hunter has some po- 
litical aspirations. I speak of his political 
hereafter. He will desire to take care of 
that. Everything will be done by him and 
his friends that he may escape conviction. ’ 9 

“Then I must assume that a speedy re- 
turn is in a line with Jack Hunter’s poli- 
tics.” 

“Exactly so.” 

Fourteen Brown interrupted the conver- 
sation at this moment, saying to Tod, 

“You need not be surprised to hear a 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


49 


shotgun at any time fired through your 
window. ’ 9 

“No,” dissented Dr. Longshore, “Hun- 
ter has enough. He knows that the tenure 
of his father was an unjust one. Jack Hun- 
ter will subordinate his vengeance to his 
property interests and to his political am- 
bition. 9 9 

“How can you trust a politician,” re- 
plied Tod. 

“Politics, Tod, is a selfish game. The 
selfishness of the case will cause Jack Hun- 
ter to use his politics to protect his inter- 
ests.” 

“I shall be ready for any event, Doctor. 
Let Jack Hunter come on. I am sure that 
conscience has not ceased to work in the 
hearts of men. ’Tis that makes cowards 
of us all. Jack Hunter has nothing to pro- 
ceed upon. I have my quarrel just . 9 9 

The conversation ended. Captain Hol- 
man was made as comfortable as possible, 
then Brown and Dr. Longshore took their 
leave. 


4 


CHAPTER VI 


The tragedy that had been enacted at 
Holman Hall aroused the community. Men 
took sides and fearful things were talked 
of. The schoolmaster was especially 
moved, and made a visit to Tod and talked 
over the state of affairs. In the course of 
conversation he hinted that Jack Hunter 
might lurk about and take vengeance for 
the death of his father. 

“You will be riding along one day,” he 
observed to Tod, “when you will be shot 
down just as your father was, without 
warning. ’ 9 

“That is a possibility,” replied Tod, 
“yet I hope that his bullet may not have a 
more instant effect than the one aimed at 
my father. But the odds are against Jack 
Hunter. He is already a partner in the 
attempted assassination of my father.” 

“I know,” interrupted the schoolmaster, 
“that he would be glad to be relieved of 
the guilt of that attempt, yet revenge is 
sweet.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


51 


“Yes, but Hunter is no fool. He has 
made enough money to cause him to be con- 
servative. He does not wish to spend his 
fortune in lawyers’ fees. Beyond all that, 
in any trial he would certainly be convicted 
and sent up.” 

“You have presented a forceful argu- 
ment. But I reason from the character of 
the Hunters. They have been rash men, 
and desperate men will do desperate 
things. ’ ’ 

“But desperate actions are always ir- 
rational ones,” insisted Tod. 

“Precisely; the desperation goads on the 
irrational act,” the schoolmaster affirmed. 

“I am the man to become desperate, Tol. 
The goads have been applied to me.” 

“And if your father shall die?” 

“Let us not anticipate that. Why should 
not Jack Hunter be as afraid of me as I 
should be of him?” 

“I have no doubt that he does fear you. 
The more so, the more he shall wish you out 
of the way . 9 9 

“The more, Tol, shall I endeavor to get 
Jack Hunter out of my way. He must not 


52 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


cross my path. All men have not yet lost 
their reason, nor has justice fled to brutish 
beasts. But let us ride into the fields, Tol. ’ ’ 
The schoolmaster assented to this, and the 
crisp October air invited other thoughts. 

Within a few days Captain Holman be- 
gan to move about the house. His injury 
had not been altogether external and he 
still complained of pain. A week later he 
called Tod to him and explained to him his 
purpose with regard to the Hunters, when 
Tod inquired, 

“Do you think that you will be able to 
ride soon, father 1 9 9 

“I think that I shall, especially to in- 
form the family left at Holman Hall of my 
purpose . 9 9 

“You mean the purpose of the suit?” 

“Not yet, my son. I shall proceed more 
kindly with the family than I meant to with 
the father.” 

“It will be harder to move the women 
than the men.” 

4 ‘ They are in trouble and I shall do noth- 
ing to insult the feelings of the women. ’ 9 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


53 


“But they will not care to see you.” 

‘ ‘ They must see me and know in my pres- 
ence that I shall not attempt to garnishee 
the crop, nor hinder them from enjoying 
the product of the year’s labor.” 

“You do not mean, then, to put in any 
claim for rent?” 

“No, if the family will move out they 
may take away all that has been made on 
the place. The wife has lost something 
of earning power in a dead husband, and 
her wounded feelings should be soothed as 
much as possible. ’ 9 

“The Hunters left enough, father, for 
all.” 

“I do not wish to exasperate feelings, 
my son . 9 9 

“Nor would I, father.” 

“I wish you to inherit through me as 
little enmity as possible.” 

“And leave me an example of mercy?” 

“Yes; my prison life has taught me 
some patience. Twice has my life been 
spared, and I wish to show some gratitude 
for it by kindness to others.” 


54 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“No wrong can be done when yon de- 
mand yonr rights/ ’ suggested Tod. 

“Hereditary prejudices, Tod, are the 
most lasting. It will be hard enough for 
the Hunters to forgive you, yet I shall do 
nothing to aggravate their prejudice 
against you after I am dead and gone. ’ ’ 

“I do not wish the Hunters to think that 
we are buying their favor, father. I wish 
them to know that I do not live in dread of 
them. ’ 9 

“We can afford to be magnanimous, son. 
Besides, friends will get word to Jack Hun- 
ter that the case against him will not be 
pushed if he will persuade his family to va- 
cate Holman Hall. ’ ’ 

“He needs to be punished to bring him 
to repentance . 9 9 Tod showed by this speech 
that he had no thought that an offer of 
kindness would have any softening effect 
on Jack Hunter’s purpose. 

Captain Holman explained that there 
were mitigating circumstances. 

“Iam not dead, my son. Jack Hunter’s 
father is. Then the times have been law- 
less. They are troublous now, but the 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


55 


people desire peace, and I wish for it. If I 
can regain possession of Holman Hall I 
will see to it that a case against Jack Hun- 
ter shall not be pushed. ’ ’ 

‘ 4 That will be a compromise, father.’ ’ 
“My son, in this fallen world of ours 
some minor matters must be compromised 
for the larger interests. ’ ’ 

Tod could not resent the wisdom of these 
words. Under the strain of the moment he 
felt that Jack Hunter should not be let off 
lightly, yet he did not contend for it. 

A short time after the foregoing conver- 
sation Captain Holman rode to Holman 
Hall and communicated his purpose to the 
Hunter family. He did nothing, however, 
to persuade any one to accept his terms, but 
politely and kindly informed all concern- 
ing his wishes, and departed. 


CHAPTER VII 


At a social gathering in Hillsboro, Ger- 
trude Longshore remarked to Toliver Hol- 
man that it was rumored that Jack Hunter 
had returned. Gertrude said this in order 
to watch its effect on Tod, as well as to 
hear what he would say. 

Tod did not care to express himself in 
any positive terms with regard to Hunter. 
Certainly he would do nothing that might 
be in the way of his father’s efforts to re- 
cover Holman Hall. Therefore he made 
some light reply to Gertrude, and referring 
to Hunter he said, “He will be a good catch 
for you, ’ 9 leaving it to Gertrude to put any 
meaning she chose to on the word 4 ‘ catch . 9 ’ 
‘ ‘ If there is any catching to be done, ’ 9 she 
answered, “surely you are the man who 
should attend to that.” 

“By your assistance I might attempt so 
perilous a task,” Tod replied jestingly. 

Gertrude seriously suggested that Jack 
Hunter might commit some violence, when 
Tod added, 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


57 


“ I will trust to you as the guardian angel 
to shield me from danger in case Hunter 
shall attempt to do me any harm. ’ ’ 

‘ 4 1 should be neutral. It is said that your 
enemy is a determined man. ’ ’ 

“ Comes it to that, Gertrude? Then I 
shall ask neither man nor woman to shield 
me. My resolution shall match any man’s 
determination. ’ 9 

6 6 I hope that our Christmas shall not be 
marred by any tragedy, Mr. Holman .’ 9 

1 1 They are responsible for that who make 
a tragedy necessary.” Tod paused. 

“It is reported also that Hunter is tra- 
ducing your good name since his return; 
but that should not make a tragedy neces- 
sary.” Gertrude sought a definite answer. 

‘ ‘ The tragedy then in character, has pre- 
ceded the tragedy in person. Shall I over- 
look the one for fear of the other?” 

“I perceive that they are the worst mur- 
derers, Mr. Holman, who stab one’s char- 
acter. ’ ’ 

“Then, Gertrude, I must attend to my 
character before I can look after my for- 
tune.” 


58 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“Your character is your fortune.’ ’ 

“I thank you profoundly, Gertrude. 
What you have told me to-night makes it 
necessary for me to say good-by until I can 
settle my character.” 

Within a few days after Jack Hunter’s 
return Dr. Longshore sought him and said, 
“Your presence in our community is a 
matter of grave concern to us all. ’ ’ 

“And the issues involved, Doctor, are of 
serious concern to me.” 

“You know that you are subject to arrest 
at any moment for the part you took in the 
attack made upon Captain Holman,” re- 
minded the Doctor. 

“I am aware of that; but allow me to 
say that when my father and I saw the 
three men standing together that October 
morning in the grove at Holman Hall, and 
two of them at least had guns, we felt that 
our lives were in danger and that it was 
simply a question who should shoot first. ’ ’ 
“That may have been a natural conclu- 
sion under the circumstances. As a mat- 
ter of fact, Captain Holman was not 
armed.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


59 


“We did not know that. We knew that 
he was a resolute man, and that he had 
killed a Yankee captain. You and Four- 
teen Brown had guns.” 

“But we had no murderous intent. We 
happened to be squirrel hunting. Our pres- 
ence was unfortunate.” 

“It was fortunate for Captain Holman.” 

“But unfortunate for your father, Hun- 
ter. * 9 

“True; no sadder event ever happened 
in my life. ’ 9 

“It will not do, Mr. Hunter, to dwell 
upon things that are past and gone.” 

“But they are not gone to me, Doctor. I 
can never forget that my father was shot 
down . 9 9 

“You can learn how to bear that fact.” 

“What you have said, added to some 
things that I have heard with regard to 
Captain Holman’s intention, together with 
what he has suffered, makes me feel a little 
better toward him, Doctor.” 

“That admission is creditable, but — ” 

“But, Doctor, let me say further. I 
heard of the threats of that youngster of 


60 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


his, and of his wild capers in the West, and 
while I am in a measure kindly disposed to 
the father, yet I will never put up with the 
son.” 

“He will never shut up touching you if 
that is your spirit.” 

“Preach to him who has made the 
threats. I have been told also that Four- 
teen Brown urged Holman to get his gun 
and shoot our livers out.” 

“Captain Holman will not favor any- 
thing rash, and I am sure that Brown will 
encourage peace.” 

“But that hot-headed youngster, I can 
not bear him.” 

“I hope, Mr. Hunter, that he, and your- 
self as well, will reach a serene result.” 

“Yes, it will be damned serene when the 
Holmans have their way and get every- 
thing. ’ ’ 

“I see that your mind, Mr. Hunter, is di- 
rected to the possession of Holman Hall.” 

“That’s what the Holmans are after, 
Doctor.” 

“That’s what they may get. Had you 
not better compromise matters and adjust 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


61 


your troubles V 9 Here Dr. Longshore en- 
tered the case fully and presented every 
side of it to Hunter ; but he was not ready 
to yield to the Doctor, and declared, 

‘ ‘ I shall claim my rights forever ! ’ ’ 


CHAPTER VIII 


Human life is a current and few can re- 
sist the rising tide. Men move in com- 
panies and follow the procession as truly as 
the tide of the ocean leaps to the attraction 
of the sun and moon. All life hangs to- 
gether and the well-beseeming ranks of the 
marching race invite cooperation with its 
progress and spirit. 

The neighbors of Jack Hunter, foresee- 
ing that the issue of things would be un- 
favorable to him, gave their advice freely 
and urged him to give up Holman Hall. If 
Hunter would do so he would save the ex- 
pense of a lawsuit, escape conviction for as- 
sault on Captain Holman, and placate 
every interest. The spirit of the Christ- 
mas holidays was favorable to this advice, 
and the immediate coming on of court made 
it important for Jack Hunter to act at once. 
He was in a strait betwixt two : his pride 
and cupidity urged him to obstinacy, while 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


63 


the fear of the result of a trial in court for 
possession, and for assault, made him dis- 
posed to yield. The surrender of Holman 
Hall, he reasoned, would not impoverish 
him, because he had lands of his own and 
would inherit more from his father. Ac- 
cordingly, without any formality of notice 
to any one, the Hunters moved out of Hol- 
man Hall and installed themselves on their 
own lands near by, and in their own home, 
early in January. 

Jack Hunter said in the hearing of some 
while he was moving, 

“The Holmans can have their place and 
be damned ! I am not beholden to any of 
them. ’ 9 

This was said for effect. Another and 
greater man would have acted with more 
grace and dignity. But Hunter was vexed 
and wished to make the impression on the 
negroes that he was not scared. He talked 
big in their presence and put up as good a 
bluff as possible, because he knew that 
every negro witnessed his going with de- 
light. 

Uncle Harbard, with some cunning in his 


64 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


words, said to Jack Hunter on his de- 
parture, 

“Boss, you ain’t gwine to leave us, is 
you?” 

It must be observed that Uncle Harbard 
called only one man “marster.” 

Hunter, a little irritated by the sally of 
the old negro, replied, 

“Yes, I can’t make anything out of you 
trifling free niggers.” 

Uncle Harbard, unwilling to be put down, 
answered, 

“Boss, you made a heap er cotton out’en 
some of dem niggabs. ’ ’ 

“If you were not so old, I would make 
something out of you, you infernal rascal. ’ ’ 

Perhaps Jack Hunter would have struck 
Uncle Harbard for bis insolence, but be 
considered that any hurt done to him would 
be resented by the Holmans. It was in 
part this thought of protection by the Hol- 
mans that emboldened Uncle Harbard to 
speak to Jack Hunter as he did. He would 
not have spoken so to the ‘ 1 quality. ’ ’ 

Early in January the Hunters were out 
of Holman Hall and the Holmans were in. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


65 


In the beginning of the new year ]ife 
seemed to open afresh to the Holmans. 
New purposes and fresh inspirations were 
evident on every side. Aunt Riney had the 
Hall thoroughly cleansed, repainted, and 
repapered. She declared that she did not 
want a spot left to remind her of the Hun- 
ters. Accordingly, the walks were regrav- 
eled, the shrubbery trimmed, and fences 
and gates were put in perfect repair, and a 
fresh coat of paint laid on them. 

While Mammy, the sister of Uncle Har- 
bard, was scrubbing one day, Aunt Riney 
said to her, 

“The Hunters, or somebody, destroyed 
some of the portraits that hung in the 
parlor . 9 ’ 

“No, Miss Riney, dem Yankees done dat, 
for I seed ’em do it. Dey tuck ’em away.” 

“I don’t know, Mammy, what use they 
had for our family pictures.” 

“Dey des natu’ally liked good-looking 
folks, Miss Riney.” 

“Yes, they had too much liking for our 
good things. That’s what they came into 
5 


66 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


our country for. But thank God that the 
Yankees did not burn our home. Our land 
and house are all they did leave us. And 
then the Hunters have tried to see how 
many lights they could knock out of the 
windows. ’ ’ 

“I reckon dem Hunters was fond of fresh 
a’r,” suggested Mammy. 

“If so, they should have stayed in their 
own homes. People ought to live in houses 
that suit them.” 

Mammy laughed at this remark, and 
added, 

“Well, de Hunters is got somethin’ to 
suit ’em now. Dis house was too big for 
’em. Hey des fa’rly rattled in it.” 

Aunt Riney was convulsed with laughter. 
Mammy changed immediately into sighing 
and said, 

“I wish ole Mistress was here to see how 
things have turned out. I know dat she 
died of a broken heart.” 

“I don’t know why I was left to see all 
the trouble I have seen,” groaned Aunt 
Riney. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


67 


“De Lord has lef’ you to take care of 
Tod, Miss Riney.” 

i ‘ Tod will have to take care of me. But 
I have got enough to do to take care of this 
house at present. You may go now, 
Mammy, and put on dinner.” 


CHAPTER IX 


The first year in Holman Hall was an ex- 
ceedingly busy one. The estate was located 
in the Arcadia of Alabama, the natural 
home of corn and cotton. The land was 
rich and labor was abundant. Tod deter- 
mined to give the preference to the old 
slaves of his father in the cultivation of the 
estate. Next to these he employed the ne- 
groes related to them by marriage, and as 
many faithful ones as he had land for. 
Captain Holman turned over the manage- 
ment of the estate to Tod, and cordially 
consented to all his plans, frequently giv- 
ing the benefit of his experience in planting. 

I took great interest in the Holmans, and 
frequent visits to them gave me the chance 
to know what they were doing. Indeed, I 
had made up my mind to follow the for- 
tunes of Tod to the end. One day Tod com- 
municated his plans to me in full. 

“In the first instance,’ ’ he declared to 
me, “I mean to run the plantation in the 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


69 


interests of the tenants, especially the old 
family servants and their children. I have 
no intention of planting simply to make 
money for myself, to get rich at the expense 
of the laborers.’ ’ 

I listened to this statement with surprise 
and admiration. 

“The plantation must be made self-sup- 
porting first , 9 9 continued Tod, 4 ‘ then every 
dollar above that must be equitably di- 
vided among the tenants or used for their 
benefit. I look upon the estate as a com- 
mon capital for employer and laborer. 
Especially do I feel that I justly owe it to 
the old slaves to share equally with them 
in the profits of the estate.” 

My admiration grew as I listened, for 
this was the first instance, so far as I knew, 
that a plantation would be run on the co- 
operative plan. Tod was right, and I en- 
couraged him to go on. 

“The negroes are as children. I feel as 
though they are our children, and they 
must be cared for. I do not think that my 
obligations to them are discharged when 
I have settled with a renter, or tenant, 


70 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


merely on the basis of a legal contract. 
The plantation is theirs and mine to the 
extent of their labor and needs. I feel that 
the children of the slaves must be taught 
as well as worked. Therefore they shall 
have a church and school, and the products 
of the Holman estate must support these 
two institutions. ’ ’ 

“You mean, Tod,” I was glad to say it, 
“to exemplify on your plantation the spirit 
of the Golden Rule.” 

“I do, sir. Planting on any other prin- 
ciple is a sin. Poverty and ignorance must 
be relieved.” 

‘ ‘ I see plainly, ’ ’ was my response, ‘ 4 that 
only on the altruistic plan can the evils that 
afflict human society be ameliorated.” 

“Only on that plan do we stand uncon- 
victed of robbing our brother,” said Tod. 
“Otherwise, we teach him by our example 
to rob his brother of all that he can get 
from him.” 

“You have stated the truth,” was my 
admission to Tod, “but how far men are 
from exhibiting the spirit of a true brother- 
hood.” 

“The more the need of a practical ex- 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


71 


ample of humanity and brotherhood at 
Holman Hall. ,, 

“You mean to make no distinction in car- 
rying out your scheme, Tod ? ’ ’ 

“None,” he answered, “save only that 
every one shall share in proportion to his 
labor and need. The old servants must be 
pensioned and the sick helped by a com- 
mon fund.” 

“On your plan, then, only the idle shall 
have any necessity to move. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Certainly ; my plan contemplates a life 
tenure for the faithful. It will be to their 
interest to remain and work for the com- 
mon good.” 

“I see but one trouble,” I suggested to 
Tod. 

“What is that!” 

“Men,” I replied, “will doubt your mo- 
tives and prophesy a failure. ’ ’ 

“Of course I know that many will not 
be able to apprehend the unselfishness of 
my purpose, yet that should not deter me 
from the undertaking.” 

After this remark from Tod I wished 
him all manner of success and took my 
leave. 


CHAPTER X 


When I went home from my last conver- 
sation with Tod I pondered the unselfish- 
ness of his purpose, and I felt sure that so 
generous a soul was destined to accom- 
plish a great work in the world. On my 
next visit to Tod I said to him, 

“You can’t limit your operations simply 
to farming.” 

“I wish, sir, to be a man of affairs first,” 
he replied. “After that I may attend to 
matters that need reforming as occasion 
may demand. I perceive the beginning of 
a new order of things. New problems of 
politics and religion demand a solution. I 
cannot hope to answer that demand, but I 
shall endeavor to contribute what I can . 9 9 

I reminded Tod that a reformer was gen- 
erally an unpopular person. He agreed 
that two men suffered the most: the one 
who is ahead of the times and the other who 
is behind the times. I stated that some re- 
forms in politics probably would move fas- 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


73 


ter but for the politicians, when Tod in- 
stantly declared that politics would delay 
the prosperity of the South for a genera- 
tion. 

I was eager to know exactly what was 
stirring in Tod’s mind as to the kind of re- 
form he was most interested in, therefore 
I inquired if he had any thought of enter- 
ing the ministry. He quickly set me at rest 
on that point when he assured me that he 
had no such purpose, and added, 

“I fear that I could not be held in by 
the trammels of any church, and I have no 
desire to encounter the odium theologicum, 
of all prejudices the very worst and the 
most fiery.” 

“That you would be sure to meet with, 
Tod, unless you should become a conven- 
tional minister. ’ * 

“I should be a free lance, if anything, 
and would take pleasure in having a tilt at 
the dogmaticians. ” 

“Is it not true,” I asked, “that ministers 
do not like to have their opinions dis- 
puted?” 

‘ ‘ True, sir ; many ministers assume that 


74 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


they have a creed delivered to them in in- 
fallible words; but the truth can not be 
fixed in words. The spirit is greater than 
the letter. Without discussing the matter 
further, I must invite you to hear with me 
one day a sample of the preaching that we 
have in Pike County.’ ’ 

This invitation I accepted and left for 
home. 

The year rolled on and brought with it 
a harvest of joy and sorrow as well. The 
growing crops, the fields of cotton and 
corn, and the song of the negro all re- 
minded Captain Holman of the happy days 
before the war, and begat with him, at 
times, a spirit of melancholy. 

When the crop was “laid by” a barbe- 
cue was given to the “hands,” and the 
negroes danced the double-shuffle beneath 
the tall oaks and the majestic magnolias. 

November came, and with it a biting 
frost. The fields of cotton were changed 
to black and white, and colors of red, 
green, and yellow shone splendid in the 
autumn forests. 

A year had passed since the tragedy in 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


75 


the grove. While the leaves were falling 
and the crops were being harvested Cap- 
tain Holman was gathered to his fathers. 
He lived one happy year in his old home, 
saw his only son established in Holman 
Hall, and using it as a base for future use- 
fulness that poverty and ignorance might 
be less. 

On the following Christmas every la- 
borer at Holman Hall sat down to a bounti- 
ful dinner, and every man, woman, and 
child had, in addition to that, a Christmas 
present from Tod. The only regret ex- 
pressed was that Captain Holman could not 
live to see the joy that Tod was creating. 


CHAPTER XI 


During the holidays Uncle Harbard vis- 
ited Brownfield and was invited by Four- 
teen Brown to take a seat on the porch. 
The December weather was mild, and the 
sun shone so bright and warm that no fires 
were needed. 

When Uncle Harbard sat down he began, 

“Boss, a niggah feels mity gran’ settin’ 
in er white man’s house. Please, sah, gim 
me a chaw of terbacker. ’ ’ 

Brown drew from his pocket a piece of 
tobacco, remarking as he handed it to the 
old negro, 

“Here, Harbard, niggers always want 
something. ’ ’ 

Uncle Harbard smiled as he took the to- 
bacco, rose, and bowed profoundly, and 
said, 

“Thank you, Boss. You’s er gentleman. 
I ’clar’ to gracious I come off and forgot 
my ’backer. Looks like I can’t do widdout 
it. But my young Marster gives me all I 
wants.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


77 


“You are doing better then since the 
Hunters left.” 

Brown was eager to hear how things 
went at Holman Hall since the Holmans re- 
turned to it. Uncle Harbard was full of 
joy about the return of Captain Holman, 
and praised Tod for the way he was manag- 
ing affairs. He informed Brown that Tod 
gave the “hands” more than a third of 
the crop, and promised better things for 
the future. Uncle Harbard continued, 

“I has de bes’ time, ’cep ’in’ I am mity 
painified at times. An’ den sence my Mary 
died I feels mity lonesome. She was a good 
’oman an’ I know dat I ain’t gwine to git 
nary nuther like she was.” 

“Well, well, Harbard, you should not be 
studying about that. ’ ’ 

“About what, Boss?” 

“About getting you another wife.” 

“I ain’t studyin’ dat, Boss. I’se too 
old.” 

“Why, Jim says that you have been fly- 
ing around old Aunt Dinah.” 

“Dat -ole ’oman, Boss, what ain’t got 
nary tooth in her head!” 


78 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“What is more, Harbard, Jim says that 
Aunt Dinah told him that yon were too 
ugly for her to think of marrying yon. ’ ’ 

“I’ll swar, Boss, ef Jim did tell you all 
dat romance he tole de most ontdacions and 
ungodly lie dat a niggah ever did tell. 
Aunt Dinali is ole enough for my mammy. ’ ’ 
Uncle Harbard bethought himself for a mo- 
ment, then with a twinkle in his eye he 
broke forth, 

“I tell you what, Boss, ef I does take a 
notion to marry I’m gwine to get me a 
young gal, one of dese here chocolate pul- 
lets what’s er skippin’ about your planta- 
tion. ’ ’ 

Brown cleared his throat, raised both 
feet to the top of the railing, and replied, 

“Ah, you old sly coon! There is no tell- 
ing what is passing through an old negro’s 
head. ’ ’ 

“No, Boss, I’se des a jokin’. I’se too 
old fur dese highflyers. Sides dat, nig- 
gahs is too curious dese days. My mind is 
still on my Mary. ’ ’ 

“Well, go on, Harbard, I wish to hear 
about her.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


79 


“My Mary, Boss, tuk sick way in de 
night. I’d done chopped cotton all dat day. 
She say, ‘Pm mity sick, Harbard; go fnr 
de doctor.’ ” Uncle Harbard could not 
speak for a moment. Then he resumed, 

“Boss, dem words troubled me, an’ I was 
dat tired dat I hated to git up. I didn’t 
think my Mary was so sick. An’ I thought 
dat I could wait twell day done broke, an’ 
den I could go fur de doctor. But my Mary 
kep’ on sayin’, ‘I’m mity sick, Harbard.’ 
An’ den I went fur de doctor. But she got 
wus an’ wus, twell she died, an’ I ain’t had 
no peace of mind about her sence.” 

These simple words touched Brown. 
Sympathizing with the spirit of the old ne- 
gro, he said, 

“Yes, Harbard, the things that we might 
have done for our wives, and did not, rise 
up to trouble us now that they are dead. 
We lay the roses on their graves, but, alas ! 
the dead can smell no flowers, nor behold 
their beauty. ’ ’ 

“Boss, I would be a better man ef my 
Mary was back here. She was a church 
’Oman, an’ when I got mad an’ cussed, she 


80 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


’ud say, ‘Harbard, you better jine de 
cburcb an ’ get dat passion outen you. ’ An ’ 
den I said, Boss, ‘Damn it, I don’t know 
what to jine fur!’ Den my Mary tole me, 
‘Harbard, you’ll have to ’count fur dat 
cussin’ some day.’ I knowed I oughtn’t to 
cuss befo’ my wife, but niggahs was havin’ 
such carryin’s on at de meetin ’-house dat I 
didn’t b’leeve dey jined fur de right thing 
nohow. Some of ’em went oft into trances 
an’ said dat dey went to heaven an’ seed 
things. But I ain’t seed nothin’ but dem 
ole witches what rides me at night when I 
am sleep, an’ de Jack-mer-lanterns.” 
Uncle Harbard stopped and bit off a chew 
of tobacco. 

On Brown questioning him about the 
“new-issue” negroes, the old man replied, 

“Boss, things is mighty changed. Nig- 
gahs is er runnin’ after edication, an’ so 
many of dem wants to preach. I b’leeve 
some of dem niggahs is gettin’ scared of de 
cotton patch. An’ den dem yallah niggahs 
think dat dey are better dan other folks.” 

‘ ‘ The color line runs through your crowd 
also, Harbard.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


81 


“De color won’t do ’em no good. Some 
of ’em can’t get ’nough to eat now. I went 
to de Nnnion Springs t’other day, an’ I 
seed a yallah niggah under a ’simmon tree 
eatin’ ’simmons.” 

“Harbard, niggers always loved ’sim- 
mons.” 

“So I hollered an’ axed dat niggah what 
he eatin’ dem ’simmons for, jest to pass 
de time er day wid him, an’ he answered, 
‘I ’bleeged to.’ Den I say, ‘What yer 
’bleeged to for,’ an’ he say, ‘Ole Clean-up 
done been ’roun’ here an’ leveled on my 
corn an’ taters.’ Boss, I don’t have to suf- 
fer sech as dat. Mr. Tod sho’ takes car’ 
of me an’ Miss Riney. She is mity good 
to me. Den dar is a projeckin’ youngster 
at our house, an’ when Miss Riney has any- 
thin’ good she sends it to me by dat boy, 
an’ den I tells him about de ‘ha’nts’ an’ 
de ‘Raw-head an’ Bloody Bones.’ Dey 
calls dat boy Honey Bug, but I calls him 
Honey Bird. ’ ’ 

“He is an orphan boy, Harbard; a 
nephew of the schoolmaster, isn’t he?” 

6 


82 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“Yas, sir, Boss; Mr. Tod is mity good 
to take care of dat boy an’ me. Mr. Tod’s 
ma was my ole Mistress. When she was 
on her dyin’-bed she called me into de big- 
honse an’ said to me, ‘Harbard, I am gwine 
to leave yon all an’ I want yon to take car’ 
of Tod.’ She ’low dat he wonld be a help 
to me in my old age, an’ he sho’ is.” 

‘Ms not Tod in trouble now?” inter- 
rupted Brown. 

“Yas, sir. I hears er heap er things 
’bout Mr. Tod, but I don’t wants no ’sturb- 
ments in de settlement.” 

“The enemies of Tod’s father are Tod’s 
enemies, Harbard. They will never for- 
give the loss of Holman Hall, nor yon nig- 
gers for saying that yon belonged to the 
‘ quality.’ ” 

“Boss, I never could git used to de ways 
of dem Hunters.” 

“You had better look out or they will 
Ku-Klux you. ’ ’ 

“I’ll call on you, Boss, to help me out.” 

‘ ‘ All right, Harbard. I ’m your friend. ’ ’ 

“Thank you, Boss ; but I must go. Say, 
Boss, I’se walked six miles ter-day, an’ 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


83 


when I walks much I feels my rheumatiz; 
an’ den I has a pain in my chis\ Can’t 
you give an’ ole niggah a dram?” 

Brown did not have any liquor, but he 
found in the pantry a bottle half full of 
cherry-bounce. This he gave to Uncle Har- 
bard. Uncle Harbard bowed low, and said, 

“Sarvant, Boss, I thank you. When I 
gits home I’ll drink dis fur my rheumatiz. 
Come to see Tod an’ how de niggahs does. 
Far ’well.” 

Brown invited him to call again, and 
promised that he would stand by Tod in 
all his troubles. 


CHAPTER XII 


While the blue-eyed autumn was dream- 
ing on the distant hills, Tod Holman was 
brooding. A shade of melancholy was on 
his face, for his feelings were in unison 
with the mellow autumn days. An early 
frost had touched the leaves but they were 
not sere. There was more green than yel- 
low. The water-oaks never shed their 
leaves and the magnolias were magnificent 
cones of green foliage. 

Tod was living more in the future than 
in the past, yet the past was coloring his 
future. Sorrow and hope blended in his 
thought, but decision was supreme. As 
he viewed the great oaks of the park and 
the colonial columns of Holman Hall he 
thought of them as symbolic of the noble 
men who built his ancestral heritage. He 
must show himself worthy of the blood that 
coursed in his veins. At an opportune time 
the schoolmaster came and furnished an 
occasion to Tod to speak of the things that 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


85 


were passing through his mind. Strickland 
playfully said, 

“What new-fangled notions are these 
that you have given out, Tod?” 

“I scarce know what you mean, my 
friend, and I am sure that I can not be held 
responsible for what you hear.” 

Tod desired to have the schoolmaster 
speak specifically and definitely. 

“Why, the orthodox are saying, what a 
pity; that your schemes are mere dreams, 
and that you are sure to fail and ruin your 
usefulness. ’ ’ 

“The people of whom you speak, Tol,” 
Tod replied, assume that wisdom shall die 
with them. Yet my opinion is that history 
would come to a pause if we should have 
to depend for advice upon the persons you 
are pleased to call the ‘ orthodox. ’ ” 

“It is quite true,” assented the school- 
master, “that the orthodox often assume 
things without providing the proof.” 

“They like a dead calm, Tol. A breeze 
would be too much for their nerves. If it 
should increase to a gale they fear that 


86 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


their houses might be blown down upon 
their heads/ ’ 

“I perceive, Tod, that the man in the 
saddle does not like to be emptied of his 
place.” 

“True, Tol, a man accustomed to riding 
does not contemplate with complacency the 
thought of becoming a plain pedestrian.” 

“Especially such walking as would be 
accompanied with the opponents in the 
saddle . 7 7 

“I have found out, my dear schoolmas- 
ter, that oftentimes it has been safer to 
have been immoral than to have been un- 
orthodox. 7 7 

“I think, Tod, that we have had a strik- 
ing proof of that in the conduct of Jack 
Hunter . 7 7 

“You mean that he escaped punishment 
when he should have suffered!” 

“That, and other things.” The school- 
master paused. He seemed to know more 
than he was willing to impart. 

“I do not like to speak of him,” an- 
swered Tod. 

“You will have much cause to think of 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


87 


him, although you may not care to speak 
of him.” This last remark of the school- 
master was a prophecy based upon his 
knowledge of Hunter’s characteristics and 
designs. Tod, however, not caring to dis- 
cuss Hunter, asked, 

“What did you think of my speech the 
other day?” 

“The one you made to the orthodox?” 

“Yes, the one I made by their invita- 
tion. ’ 9 

“They gave you that invitation to try 
you, Tod. ’ 9 

“And I accepted it in order to test them. 
But what did you think of the speech?” 

“It started a breeze.” 

“Which way has it been blowing?” 

“Against you, Tod. Besides, Jack Hun- 
ter said that a fellow who lived such a life 
as you lived in the West had no right to 
make speeches before decent people.” 

“Jack Hunter! Let the ruffian rage. He 
is not worth quoting.” 

“But you will have to reckon with him, 
Tod.” 

* ‘ As the eagle soars above the earth, my 


88 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


thoughts tower above Jack Hunter,” re- 
plied Tod, looking upward and far away. 

“Dr. Bottom thought that your views 
were novel,” the schoolmaster resumed. 

“The new is not therefore the untrue, 
Tol.” 

“No, but the new sometimes startles, or 
shocks the unprepared.” The schoolmas- 
ter was not certain whither Tod would 
lead, and added, “Another expressed an 
opinion of your speech.” 

Tod did not seem to be eager to know, 
yet for courtesy’s sake responded, 

“Who?” 

“One of the outside saints. They often 
have a truer insight, Tod, than the inside 
saints, since they have no orthodoxy to up- 
hold.” 

“You mean Fourteen Brown?” 

“He says that you are the rising sun of 
Pike County.” 

“I should be satisfied with a lesser com- 
pliment, Tol. If I could radiate even star- 
light, that would be enough for my preten- 
sions. ’ ’ 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


89 


The schoolmaster moved nearer to Tod 
and said, 

“Still another spoke of your speech/ ’ 

‘ 6 Go on, I am ready . 9 9 

‘ ‘ She was a woman . 9 9 

‘‘Well! Gertrude V 9 

“Nay, you convict yourself/ ’ 

‘‘She is already offended because of 
what she heard about my conduct in the 
West.” 

All the more she will keep silent about 
you. ’ 9 

“That entanglement, Tol, I cannot en- 
dure. 9 9 

The schoolmaster did not care to enter 
into that matter with Tod, hence was dis- 
posed to lead the conversation into a 
lighter vein. Accordingly he observed, 

“The one of whom I speak represents 
opinion in the substrata.” 

“All classes have their notions,” ob- 
served Tod. 

“And Grandma Oldfield has hers,” re- 
joined the schoolmaster. 

“She is a dear old soul, Tol.” 

“And a character, also, Tod.” 

“She is opposed to the ‘ shop-made 


90 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


preachers/ as she calls them, is she not, 
Toll” 

“Yes. She says they have too many 
grammar words for her.” 

“Then she did not take to my speech?” 

“She said that she would rather hear 
Uncle Si read one verse of a hymn than to 
hear that college perfesser go through a 
whole sarmint. * 9 

“I do not blame her, Tol. Her anteced- 
ents tit her to appreciate more the sermons 
of Uncle Si than any academic lucubration 
of mine.” 

“I am sure, Tod, that speakers fre- 
quently go beyond the capacity of their 
hearers. ’ ’ 

“They must do that sometimes, Tod, or 
men could never be awakened and in- 
formed. Sometimes it is necessary to 
shock a person in order to awake him.” 

“You have aroused great opposition, 
Tod.” 

“That may be. Yet I think more of the 
arousement than I do of the opposition.” 

After this conversation Tod rode part 
of the way home with Tol as an act of 
courtesy and to speak of other things. 


CHAPTER XIII 


The day after Tol Strickland left Hol- 
man Hall the southwest wind blew a gale. 
The storm roared through the forest and 
the great trees bent before the blast. There 
was an occasional growl of deep thunder 
as the sheet lightning lit up the sky. Some 
houses blew down and bundles of fodder 
hung high up in the trees marked the path 
of the storm. A few men said their prayers 
and forgot them when the storm was over. 

Tod watched the effect of the wind from 
the colonnade of his home. After the sky 
cleared, Uncle Harbard came from his 
cabin and inquired, 

“Warn’t you scared, Mr. Tod? I knew 
Miss Riney was.” 

“Yes, she got into the featherbed.” 
Tod was not unwilling to have a little fun 
at Aunt Riney ’s expense. 

“I thought once dat slycoon wa’ gwine 
to blow me away, an’ den I wanted to see 
my Mary.” 


92 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“No wonder, yon felt so guilty.’ ’ 

“Yes, Mr. Tod; I seed some of my sins, 
sho’.” 

“Your Mary could n’t have saved you.” 

“She could er comforted me. When I 
dies I don’t want to die by myse’f.” 

“It wasn’t religion, then, that was mov- 
ing you?” 

“No, sir; some folks gits mity ’ligious 
when it thunders and light ’n’s, but I ain’t 
one of dem sort. I have heerd it thunder 
before. Hat storm ’minded me so much of 
my Mary. She used to wake up in de night 
an’ say, ‘Harbard, listen at dat thunder.’ 
Hen I ’ud say, ‘ Oh, Mary, go to sleep ; de 
thunder don’t kill nobody.’ ‘No, Harbard,’ 
she say, ‘dat it don’t; but it sounds power- 
ful warnin’ like. Git up and make a 
light.’ ” 

“And you would not do it,” ejaculated 
Tod. 

“No, sir; I didn’t want de bad things on 
de outside to see me ; ’sides dat, Mr. Tod, 
I didn’t want to see myse’f killed in de 
night.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


93 


“You were not afraid of the thunder, 
then, but you were afraid to die?” 

“Dat’s a fac’, Mr. Tod. If a man’s got 
sense, he ’s ’bleeged to be afeerd. My Mary 
was a mity ’ligious ’oman. She kep’ on 
prayin’, but I des kivered up my head an’ 
scrooched up closer.” 

“Well, the storm has not done us much 
damage. ’ ’ 

“No, sir; hit des cleared de a’r.” 

Tod walked away, noting how bright the 
earth looked after the rain and storm. 

Since the tragedy of October many 
changes had been made. Tod got his co- 
operative system fully under way on the 
Holman plantation, and had more men 
apply for work than he could employ. Jack 
Hunter increased his worldly store and 
made more apparent his political ambi- 
tions. 

Two things stood in the way of Toliver 
Holman’s complete success. One was his 
career in the West, and the other was, he 
was too far in advance of his generation. 
His heretical opinions handicapped him 


94 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


and liis cooperative system was attributed 
to selfish motives. 

I sought the opinion of Uncle Si and re- 
ported to Tod what he thought touching 
Tod’s notions and operations. When I told 
Tod that Uncle Si declared that a young 
man should be forgiven much and be re- 
garded in the light of future developments, 
he laughed and said, 

“I thank the reverend brother for his 
proleptical view of me, yet I shall hardly 
appeal to him for mercy. ’ ’ Then with feel- 
ing Tod continued, “I trust, sir, that the 
things I have done and the opinions I have 
set forth are more than youthful vagaries. 
Let them stand on their merits ; I make no 
apology for anything and I ask for no 
quarter . 9 9 

“The atmosphere has been poisoned,” 
was my answer to Tod’s speech, and I as- 
sured him that it was necessary for him to 
make fair weather in the West, then left 
him to his reflections. 

An occasional cloud drifted across the 
sky. The wind sighed among the trees and 
sounded like the moaning of a spirit utter- 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


95 


ing the melancholy of a great soul. Aunt 
Riney went to the front and called, 

“Tod.” 

“Yes, ma’m.” 

“Why don’t you come in? It is late. It 
must be lonely out there.” 

“The man in the moon talks to me, 
Aunty . 9 9 

“Nobody else will.” 

“The angels do. I thought that I heard 
an angel in the whispering wind . 9 9 

“Tod, I am afraid that there is too much 
wind in your talk.” 

“He maketh his angels winds, Aunty.” 

“Don’t let the other angels bother you. 
I am glad that the man in the moon is not 
a woman.” 

“So am I; for then she would be too far 
away, Aunt Riney.” 

“I don’t want one near till my head gets 
cold. ’ ’ 

Aunt Riney failed to get the better of 
Tod and desisted. Then Tod retired and 
slept serenely. 

The winds ceased to moan. The sky 
cleared and morning crept on. The chick- 


96 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


ens crowed for day and the bell sounded 
the call for the hands to rise. Uncle Har- 
bard came in for the barn keys. 

“Is it fair, Uncle Harbardr’ said Tod. 

“Yes, sir; ’tis dat. De morning star 
is ’way up yonder. De seben stars an’ de 
Ellen yards is nearly down. It’s time for 
white folks to rise.” 

Tod gave directions to his foreman, then 
he and Aunt Riney sat down to breakfast. 


CHAPTER XIV 


“Dar’s a gentleman at de gate, Boss,” a 
servant announced. 

“Who is he?” 

“He looks lak dat schoolmaster.” 

‘ ‘ Tell him to come in. ’ ’ 

Tod arose to meet the guest, saying, 

“I am glad to see you; come in. Aunt 
Riney and I are feeling lonely. ’ ’ 

“I feel the need of company myself,” 
said the schoolmaster, smiling. 

“It is not good to be alone, Tol.” 

“Not very much alone; but what is the 
news, Tod?” 

“I should ask that of you; you move 
about and learn what is going on. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Jack Hunter is going on . 9 ’ The school- 
master watched closely Tod’s expression. 
After a moment’s reflection Tod replied, 
“I had hoped that he was gone.” This 
was the nearest expression of concern 
about Jack Hunter that had fallen from 
Tod’s lips. 

7 


98 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


Other thoughts were in the mind of the 
schoolmaster, and not caring to speak fur- 
ther of Hunter, he quietly said, 

“It is reported that Gertrude has re- 
jected you.” 

“I am glad that it is not reported that I 
rejected her. But your report has grown 
out of a conversation with Gertrude about 
the ‘ guardian angel.’ ” 

“You feel the need of a guardian angel, 
don’t you, Tod?” 

“About as much as you do, my dear 
schoolmaster. ’ ’ 

“Well, there is some danger in this mat- 
rimonial business, but it should not en- 
danger life.” 

t i There are a few good prizes in the mar- 
ried life,” said Tod, philosophically. 
“Each man thinks that he may win one. 
and sometimes a man risks his life to at- 
tain it. ’ ’ 

“I am persuaded from my point of view, 
Tod, that there will be more of life in the 
married state.” 

“It certainly prolongs life, or makes it 
seem longer, Tol.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


99 


4 ‘ There is more in this business now than 
perhaps you are aware of, ’ ’ said the school- 
master mysteriously. 

Tod tapped him gently on the shoulder. 

“I am ready for anything. Let them 
come on.” 

“The currents are against you. Your 
happiness demands a move,” returned the 
schoolmaster, uncovering his meaning. 

Tod leaped to his feet and repeated, 

“ ‘This rock shall fly 
From its base 
As soon as I.’ ” 

“You can’t overcome the prejudice and 
dogmatism of a people in a day,” the 
schoolmaster argued. 

“I do not hope to do so in a day and a 
half. ’ 9 

“Could you in a lifetime?” 

“It were worth a life, Tol, to devote it 
to such a reform . 9 9 

Let us pause and ask the question 
whether there was any suspicion in Hol- 
man’s mind that the schoolmaster desired 
to get him out of his way? Scarcely. On 
the other hand, would the schoolmaster fol- 


LOf C. 


100 


THE COUNTEYMAN 


low faithfully Holman into exile supposing 
that he should be forced into it? 

Tol continued to argue with Tod. 

“A man can effect nothing when he has 
been put under the ban.” 

4 ‘ But I defy the ban ! ’ ’ exclaimed Tod. 

“Will that better your chances ?” 

“I care nothing for the chances.’ ’ Tod 
spoke with determination. 

“A change of climate will be better for 
you. Why not try it?” 

‘ ‘ My health does not suffer. The climate 
here is certainly cold enough, yet I have no 
desire to seek a warmer.” 

“Your prospects will be better in a 
warmer climate.” 

“Perhaps. Still, I am disposed to act 
upon the advice of Hamlet, 4 Better bear 
the ills we have than fly to those we know 
not of.’ ” 

“I should prefer a change, Tod.” 

‘ ‘ I prefer my paternal acres. ’ ’ 

“They are dear, I know,” said the 
schoolmaster, willing to show his apprecia- 
tion of Tod’s feelings; “but — ” 

“But, Tol, this is my native heath. My 
dearest associations are here.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


101 


4 ‘Yet the most unpleasant may emerge 
here. Don ’t mar the past, Tod. ’ ’ 

“I shall take the advice of Moses to the 
Children of Israel at the Red Sea.” 

6 6 What is that?” 

“Stand still and see the salvation of the 
Lord. ’ ’ 

“It would be well to do that, Tod, if you 
had Moses to give you the command.” 

“I can adopt, in his absence, his advice 
as a principle of action. Why not, Tol?” 

The schoolmaster became convinced that 
Tod was immovable and desisted from fur- 
ther argument. Though in order to leave 
no suspicion of rivalry in Tod’s mind he 
ventured to say, 

“If you are determined to stay I will 
help you win her.” 

Without stopping to ask Tol whom he 
meant by “her,” Holman snapped out, 

“You will have enough to do to take care 
of yourself. I shall march to my destiny, 
whatever it may be, unaided.” 

The schoolmaster arose to go, and Tod 
was left to muse over the events of the day 
and to brace his spirit for the coming 
battle. 


CHAPTER XY 


Fourteen Brown and the schoolmaster 
were indirectly influential when Tod joined 
the Free Masons. In the divided state of 
public opinion touching Tod it was imag- 
ined that he expected to find encourage- 
ment, if not protection, in the fraternity. 
We all need some comfort from our fel- 
lows. All life hangs together, and men are 
never saved nor lost alone. 

A few days after Tol Strickland’s last 
visit to Holman Hall, Tod attended a gath- 
ering of the Masons, where he had been in- 
vited to make an address. 

Honey Bug, taking advantage of Tod’s 
absence, went over to Uncle Harbard’s 
cabin and begged him to tell him ghost 
stories. When Uncle ITarbard saw the boy 
at his door he shouted, 

“ Here’s dat Honey Bird agin. Come in. 
Why haven’t you been to see me before 
now?” 

“ ’Cause Aunt Riney wouldn’t let me. 
Here is some cake I brought you. ’ ’ 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


103 


“Sarvant, honey. Pm so glad. My ole 
wisdom toof has des bin er aching for some 
cake. Miss Riney made dis cake. She is 
a bus ’ness ’oman, sho.” 

“ Uncle Harbard, I want to hear about 
the ghosts and witches. Don’t you believe 
in ’em?” 

“Yes, honey. I done seed too many on 
’em. ’ ’ 

“How can you see ’em, Uncle Har- 
bard?” 

“Dey’ll make yer see ’em, Honey Bird.” 

“What do the witches do?” 

‘ ‘ One rid me las ’ night. ’ ’ 

“Rid you, Uncle Harbard?” 

“Yes, child. Dey rides hosses too, an’ 
makes stirrups outen dar manes.” 

“You ain’t got any mane, Uncle Har- 
bard. ’ ’ 

“Dat’s de reason dem witches can’t 
make me gallop. I laid down flat er my 
back las’ night an’ went to sleep an’ sud- 
denly I felt somethin’ heavy on my breas’ 
an’ I couldn’t move, and I tried to holler 
an’ I couldn’t. At last I whirled over an’ 


104 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


de ole witch jumped off an’ went thu’ de 
top er de house.’ ’ 

“Through the top of the house, Uncle 
Harbard?” 

“Yes, Honey. I seed her wid dese 
eyes. ’ 9 

The little boy listened in wonder. After 
that story Uncle Harbard picked up a 
roasted potato, blew off the ashes and be- 
gan to eat it. He offered a part to Honey 
Bug, who enjoyed a potato with Uncle Har- 
bard more than a biscuit with Aunt Riney. 
After the simple feast was over the boy 
importuned for a story about the “habits.” 

‘ ‘ I knows a tale about de ha ’nted house, ’ ’ 
replied Uncle Harbard. 

“Where is the ha ’nted house? Tell the 
story, Uncle Harbard.” 

“Dat house is in Jackson County. I saw 
it when I wus a wagon driver.” 

Uncle Harbard made the last remark to 
increase his importance in Honey Bug’s 
eyes, now opened to their widest extent. 

“Did they ever find out what the ha’nt 
was ? ’ ’ 

“It tuk a long time fust. Heap of men 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


105 


went into de house to sleep but dey tuk care 
to leave befo’ day.” 

“What for, Uncle Harbard.” 

“De habit made sech a fuss, Honey. An’ 
it got norated so dat folks would come 
from fur an’ nigh to see dat house.” 

“Did they ever see the habit?” 

“No, Honey, but dey heerd it; an’ dat 
wus enough.” 

Honey Bug’s eyes glared the more, and 
he drew his chair closer to Uncle Harbard 
and asked, 

“Heerd him, Uncle Harbard! What did 
the ha’nt say?” 

“It was inginerally about midnight, or 
two o’clock in de mornin’. De wind blowed 
and howled around de house, an’ den you 
heerd de words, ‘Don’ you want to be 
sh — a — ved?’ ” Uncle Harbard repeated 
the words in a squeaking tone. Honey Bug 
drew his chair still closer to Uncle Harbard 
and Mammy laughed. 

Uncle Harbard continued, 

“Many a man heerd dem words, Honey 
Bird, but dar was only one man dat could 
’stand ’em.” Uncle Harbard looked wise 


106 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


when he said that. Honey Bug’s curiosity 
was strained to the utmost. 

“Tell me who it was, Uncle Harbard,” 
he exclaimed, grasping him by the knee. 

“ ’Twas Cap’n Holman, de father of 
Mr. Tod, an’ dat’s de stuff Mr. Tod is made 
of.” Uncle Harbard uttered this speech 
with all the pride of a grandfather. The 
little boy’s curiosity was still on the stretch 
and he further inquired of Uncle Harbard 
what Captain Holman did. To this ques- 
tion Uncle Harbard answered, 

“He ha’nt stayed whar it wus an’ Cap’n 
Holman stayed wid it.” 

“In the house?” 

“Yes, Honey, he stayed dar till past mid- 
night. ’ ’ 

4 ‘ And he heerd the ha ’nt talk ? ’ ’ 

“Honey, I’m gwine to tell you. He wind 
blowed an’ howled, an’ den dem same 
words was said, ‘Hon’ you want to be 
sh — a — ved ? ’ An ’ Cap ’n Holman said yes. 
An’ den he went whar he heerd de soun’ 
cornin’ fum, an’ den an’ dar he foun’ de 
ha ’nt. ’ ’ 

“A sho’-nuff ha’nt?” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


107 


‘ 4 Yes, siree. It sho ’ was. ’ ’ 

“What was it?” 

Uncle Harbard’s eye twinkled, then he 
said, 

“It was a chaney tree, rabbin’ agin de 
aige of de roof when de win’ blowed. Dat 
made a squeakin’ noise, Honey Bird, an’ 
’magination done de res.” 

To keep the little boy from becoming dis- 
enchanted, Uncle Harbard added, 

“But dar is sho’-nuff ha’nts, Honey, 
for I have done seen ’em. But run along 
to de big-house, Honey; Miss Riney is call- 
in’ you.” 


CHAPTER XVI 


When Honey Bug reached the house he 
was panting with all his might, and ex- 
claimed, 

‘ ‘ Aunt Riney, I have seen a ghost. ’ ’ 

“I am glad that you did. You had no 
business out so late. Go to bed, or you may 
see another.” 

Aunt Riney was worried. Mammy told 
her next morning that she had stood with a 
sheet over her at the corner of Uncle Har- 
bard’s cabin and made Honey Bug run. 

The presence of Mammy from Brown- 
field gave Aunt Riney an opportunity to 
gather a bit of news about Tod, while he 
was away at the Free Mason’s convention. 
The family negroes always managed to 
know what was talked of by the white 
people, and were always willing to com- 
municate what they had heard to the 
proper persons. 

“What’s the news at Brownfield?” said 
Aunt Riney. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


109 


“I hear lots o’ talk about Mr. Tod, Miss 
Riney. ’Pears like dey got a plot agin’ 
him. ’ ’ 

“What, about that girl he went so fre- 
quently to see at Hillsboro V 9 

“Miss Gertrude V 9 

“It may be.” Aunt Riney was very 
cautious. She did not care to call a name. 

“Dey say Mr. Tod can’t git her while 
dat trouble is on him.” 

“There is more trouble on me, Mammy, 
than there is on Mr. Tod.” 

“Hit troubles me too, Miss Riney.” 

“Does anybody else go to see Miss Ger- 
trude!” 

“Dar’s a preacher what goes to see her. 
But folks is scared of preachers. ’ ’ 

“Sometimes girls like to he preached 
to.” 

“But dey wants a ditfur’nt preachment, 
Miss Riney, f’um dat dey hears in de 
pulpit. ’ ’ 

“You have heard what the kin said about 
Mr. Tod and Miss Gertrude?” 

“Miss Riney, I’se heerd a lot er things. 
But I’m mighty ’tickler about white folks’ 


110 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


business. Mr. Tod is nigh to you an’ me 
both, an’ I’m gwine to tell you what’s 
gwine de roun’s.” 

“Go on, then, no harm can be done.” 

“Well, Miss Riney, don’t let it bother 
you. Some is fur Mr. Tod an’ some is 
agin’ him.” 

“They don’t know him like I do, Mam- 
my.” 

“One er de kin said dat she wants Mr. 
Tod an’ Miss Gertrude to marry; dat 
she’s prayin’ fur de match. She’s a ’]ig- 
ious ’oman, Miss Riney.” 

“Too much so, I think, Mammy.” 

Aunt Riney was not so much opposed to 
Gertrude. She simply did not want Tod to 
marry anybody. Mammy had her curios- 
ity aroused about Tod and wished to know 
if he was going to preach. Aunt Riney 
bluntly answered that she feared that he 
had already preached too much for his 
good. Then Mammy told her that Julia 
Brown asked Gertrude how she would like 
to marry a preacher, and Gertrude re- 
sponded that she was afraid a preacher 
would try to make her be good. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


111 


Mammy related also that Mr. Young- 
blood was courting Gertrude and that her 
Aunt Nell wanted her to marry him be- 
cause he had money. 

Uncle Harbard had come up while the 
conversation was going on. He listened, 
and when any trouble about Tod was sug- 
gested he sighed. At last he broke forth. 

“Des as many folks may be agin’ Mr. 
Tod as dey want to, but I’m gwine to stan’ 
by him. An’ ef he wants to marry I’ll he’p 
him out. I wants to drive de carriage when 
dat happens. De niggers ’mirate at me 
when dey see me on a carriage. Dey do for 
a fac\ Miss Riney, I done hear what Mam- 
my tole about what folks is sayin’ about 
Mr. Tod, an’ I am des natu’ally af eared dat 
dey are gwine to use Mr. Tod up. ’ ’ 

“ Uncle Harbard, the only way to use 
Mr. Tod up is for him to be in love with 
some girl. But I want to be used up first. ’ ’ 
“You don’t wants to marry, does you, 
Miss Riney?” Uncle Harbard pretended 
to mistake her meaning. He had much of 
sly fun in his make up, and he ventured to 
take the liberty of having a laugh at Aunt 


112 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


Riney ’s expense. But before Aunt Riney 
could answer he suddenly changed the sub- 
ject and said with a groan, as if a pain had 
struck him, 

“Mistiss, I feels painified. ’Skuse de 
ole nigger’s fun. Please, ma’am, give me 
a dram.” Then Uncle Harbard began to 
cough, and rub his chest. 

Aunt Riney went to the sideboard, 
poured out a dram, brought it to him, and 
said, 

“Here, if you ever say marry to me 
again you shan’t have another dram.” 

Uncle Harbard bowed low, then drank 
off the dram, smacked his lips and said, 

“Sarvant, Mistiss. I won’t say dat 
word no more, ’ca ’se I wants dat dram. ’ ’ 

“Get the carriage ready. I must ride, 
Uncle Harbard.” 

“Yes, ma’am, dat I will. Dat dram done 
me so much good dat pain gone out ’er my 
chis’ already.” 


CHAPTER XVII 


When Tod returned from the Masonic 
convention Annt Riney hailed him with the 
question, 

‘ 4 What makes you leave me, Tod! I 
don’t know what you Free Masons have 
been doing.” 

“Nor does any one else. So, my dear 
Aunty, you are just as well informed as 
any one about the Free Masons.” 

“If it is so good, why don’t you tell it!” 

“It is too good to be told.” 

“Shaw! If you had anything good you 
would tell it.” 

“We had good company and the pudding 
was good.” 

“I have got something that isn’t so good 
for you, and it troubles me very much.” 

Tod was not disposed to enter upon a 
discussion of the troubles Aunt Riney had 
in mind. He laid his hand tenderly on her 
shoulder and whispered to her, 

8 


114 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“ Don’t be disturbed, dear heart. My 
mother used to say, don’t take any more on 
your heart than you can shake off at your 
heels. ’ ’ 

At this moment the schoolmaster came, 
according to promise, and requested Tod 
to tell about the speech he made to the Ma- 
sons, adding, 

“I am eager to know that you pleased 
them, because I feel sure that you will stand 
in need of their assistance.” 

“My speeches, Tol, have caused all my 
troubles . 9 ’ 

“In many things said,” the schoolmaster 
finished Tod ’s thought, ‘ ‘ a man will offend 
in some. ’ ’ 

“I have offended in many.” 

“You had no reason to offend the Ma- 
sons.” 

“My theme was the man behind the 
word . 9 9 

“You mean the man behind the Mason’s 
oath?” 

“The oath does not make the Mason, 
does it, Tod?” 

“No, the Mason makes the oath, if any- 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


115 


thing at all is made. The man binds him- 
self prior to any oath that he may take. If 
there is not a man back of the oath he will 
break it as easily as Sampson snapped the 
green withes with which he had been 
bound. ’ ’ 

“You will bear in mind, Tod, that Jack 
Hunter is a member of the Lodge at Old 
Ninety-six . 9 ’ 

“That’s my information.” 

“Well, I am concerned to know how he 
can keep his oath and act toward you as he 
is doing.” 

“I have already implied, that the real 
man is in himself and not in what he 
swears.” 

“Jack Hunter has announced for the leg- 
islature. He says that he will tote his own 
skillet.” The schoolmaster was telling 
news. 

“That means that he will run as an Inde- 
pendent. ’ 9 

“And unite the negroes and sore heads,” 
suggested Tol. 

‘ 6 That means more trouble for all. ’ 9 

“Yes, the whole affair will largely re- 


116 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


solve itself into a race issue and intensify 
the prejudice of many,’’ explained the 
schoolmaster. 

“I am of your mind, Tol, that politics 
will widen the distance between black and 
white. There is a natural distinction be- 
tween the white man and the negro, yet 
they must live in friendly relations.” 

The schoolmaster agreed that the prob- 
lem of black and white must be settled on 
the basis of the multiplication table and the 
ten commandments, and added that the 
problem was largely one of control. 

“Yes,” answered Holman, “of self-con- 
trol. The white man must first control 
himself before he can control the negro. 
Control him by examples as well as by pre- 
cept, and find for the negro the place he is 
designed to fill. ’ ’ 

“Not a high one, Tod, perhaps; yet the 
negro must be developed, but not brought 
into rivalry with the white man. ’ ’ 

“For that reason must the election of 
Jack Hunter be hindered and all such men 
as he discountenanced.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


117 


“Your position, Tod, will make Hunter 
all the more opposed to you. ’ ’ 

“Personal considerations should not 
stand in the way of the common welfare. 
Tol.” 

“I do not attempt to dissuade you from 
your position, Tod; I simply meant to sug- 
gest the outcome of it with regard to Jack 
Hunter. ’ ’ 

6 6 I understand you ; but referring to the 
negro again, for myself I wish that he were 
to himself; but Providence has put him 
here and he is here to stay. We can neither 
remove him nor murder him. He is the 
best labor in the world. He was born for 
corn and cotton. ’ 9 

The schoolmaster assented to Tod’s 
words, saying, 

“Yes, the negro needs first to know how 
to do things, and not to read Latin and 
Greek.” 

Tod explained that the negro needed in- 
dustrial and moral training, and that the 
white man should exhibit the model in 
both; that Jack Hunter’s policy would stir 
up prejudice and prolong separations. 


118 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“You have described exactly the effect 
of Hunter’s politics,” was the schoolmas- 
ter’s reply; “yet he poses as the friend 
of the negro.” 

“I think that Hunter should provide 
something practical for the negro, instead 
of using him as a stalking-horse to ride into 
office. The conduct of Hunter, Tol, seems 
to me not far removed from hypocrisy. ’ ’ 

The schoolmaster affirmed that Hunter 
was assuredly acting a part for political 
effect. Then he asked, 

‘ ‘ Suppose, Holman, that the negro 
should lit himself for politics and govern- 
ment I” 

“Ah! there’s the rub. Can he do it? If 
the negro can acquire property, become 
educated, self-respecting and respectable, 
the question of social recognition and po- 
litical rights will come to the front.” 

“I am in favor, Tod, of giving him his 
rights. ’ ’ 

“So is every one; but let us define his 
rights, ’ ’ insisted Holman. ‘ ‘ The negro can 
not demand social equality with the white 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


119 


man. Every man has the right to choose 
his own company.’ ’ 

"I am quite sure,” said the schoolmas- 
ter, “that neither social equality nor man- 
hood suffrage is a natural right.” 

“Exactly. They are privileges to be 
won. It will require eminent qualifications 
to entitle any one either to social equality 
or to the right to vote. ’ 9 

“Another thing, Tod. There must be 
a distinction, even where there is not an 
absolute separation, of the races.” 

4 4 True ! The blue-eyed Saxon must rule 
as long as our crystal streams shall roll 
their waters to the sea, and no troublous 
elements shall enter and mix therein. I 
perceive that the conduct of Hunter is 
fraught with mischief to all.” 

The schoolmaster and Holman seemed to 
be in perfect accord on all matters under 
discussion, nevertheless the gravity of the 
situation caused by Hunter was none the 
less apparent. Tod declared with em- 
phasis, 

4 4 From every point of view I see trouble 
coming. Anglo-Saxons must rule Anglo- 


120 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


Saxons. There can be no hybrid govern- 
ment. Was not something said once by the 
oracle at Delphi when a mule shall rule, 
Toir> 

“Yes,” the schoolmaster answered, “and 
destruction was prophesied in conse- 
quence. ’ ’ 

“The negro is our burden, Tol, and 
Jack Hunter is my burden. He will cer- 
tainly become a burden to my man. He 
must be overcome, we need less politics 
and more work for the negro. Race-dis- 
tinction does not mean race-hatred. We 
must treat the negro as our neighbor. The 
Golden Rule and the chivalry of a brave 
people demand that.” 

“That millennium is far off, Tod; but 
matters will improve in time.” 

4 ‘ Trouble comes, Tol, only when one race 
intrudes into the work that another race 
has been called to do.” 

“Or,” interposed the schoolmaster, 
“when it is attempted, by such false 
friends as Hunter, to force a race into a 
position for which it has not been fitted. ’ ’ 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


121 


“We must put an end to Hunter’s coun- 
sels, Tol, or assassinations will follow.” 

“They are threatened now,” said the 
schoolmaster, “and I shall do all that I 
can to neutralize Hunter and make the 
races supplement each other. But I must 
go.” 


CHAPTER XVIII 


Brown was, in some respects, a pacifica- 
tor. As far as the young people were con- 
cerned, he did all in his power to harmonize 
their differences. With this in view he 
embraced every opportunity to bring them 
together for social enjoyment. Out of sin- 
cere love for the young people, and to 
effect general results, Brown arranged for 
a house-party at his home. The gossips 
said that he did so for the sake of Julia, 
meaning, as the affair was interpreted by 
the evil-minded, that Brown was seeking a 
son-in-law. 

Jack Hunter was doing all he could to in- 
fluence the Longshores against Tod. This 
naturally threw the weight of Brown’s 
sympathy in favor of the heir of Holman 
Hall. Therefore, in arranging the pairs 
for the house-party Brown contrived that 
Tod should be the escort of Gertrude. 

On the way to Brownfield, as Tod and 
Gertrude rode together, Tod spoke feel- 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


123 


ingly to Gertrude concerning Jack Hun- 
ter’s opposition to him. Without asking a 
direct question he sought, incidentally, to 
find out from Gertrude what the opinion of 
the Longshores was with regard to Jack 
Hunter. 

“I am satisfied, Gertrude,” he said, 
‘ ‘ that I am very much misunderstood. ’ 9 

Gertrude, not disposed to listen to a sen- 
timental story, saucily replied, 

“I understand you, Mr. Holman.” 

“Do you understand Jack Hunter, my 
dear Miss 1 9 9 

“I understand that he discredits your 
scheme of cooperative farming, and asserts 
that you are deceiving the negroes.” 

“I have no desire to assume the defen- 
sive, and I am sure, Gertrude, that I shall 
give little heed to the ravings of Hunter.” 

“You are too aggressive, I know, to re- 
main on the defensive.” 

“I am Mordecai sitting at the King’s 
gate.” 

“And you will not bow to Haman,” said 
Gertrude, finishing the sentence for him. 

“He has no power to bend me; yet, Ger- 


124 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


trade, I should not object to the influence 
of an Esther. ’ ’ 

“I do not see, Mr. Holman, that any one 
is called upon to act her part. ’ ’ 

“ Circumstances always call, and every 
one is called upon to do the right at all 
times. ’ ’ 

“I should require a personal, and not a 
circumstantial, call.” Gertrude would be 
playful, notwithstanding the seriousness of 
the occasion. 

“Then I call you,” replied Tod, half in 
play. 

Gertrude made no reply to this, but 
looked off, saying, 

“Yonder is Brownfield.” 

“It is a beautiful colonial home. The 
estate of twelve hundred acres is enough 
to give a sense of importance and dignity 
to any man.” 

Gertrude was disposed to pique Tod, 
therefore she jauntily asked, 

“Is that why you feel so important, Mr. 
Holman?” alluding to the large estate of 
two thousand acres connected with Holman 
Hall. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


125 


Tod understood the irony and replied, 

“I feel important, Gertrude, because of 
what I am, and not because of what I 
possess.’ ’ 

“But you don’t undervalue possession?” 

‘ ‘ I give it due importance, and I hope to 
possess more.” 

Gertrude took in Tod’s double meaning, 
but did not care to allude to the hint con- 
veyed. He immediately changed the sub- 
ject, and soon both were welcomed to the 
hospitality of Brownfield. 

After supper all withdrew to the parlor. 
The schoolmaster escorted Julia Brown to 
the piano, and then they sang “Sweet 
Mable Claire” and other old-fashioned 
songs. After the singing it was suggested 
that each one present should recite a fa- 
vorite piece. This was agreed to by all, 
and Toliver Holman was called upon first. 
He took position near the piano and deliv- 
ered with fine effect “Come Into the Gar- 
den, Maud.” On taking his seat he turned 
to Gertrude, saying, 

“That poetry expresses Tol’s feelings 
for you.” 


126 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“Are you the medium of expression for 
the schoolmaster !” she returned archly. 

“Nay; I am his medium of confession.’ ’ 

“I should prefer, Mr. Holman, to receive 
confessions at first hand.” 

Tod felt a trifle abashed, but answered, 

“Well, I recited first.” 

Then Gertrude turned to the school- 
master and insisted that he should recite 
a piece at Holman’s expense. The school- 
master was not unwilling to have a little 
fun, and especially was he eager for a 
proper occasion to tease Tod about Ger- 
trude. Therefore he recited one of Gold- 
smith’s poems containing the verse, 

“ ‘Man wants but little here below 
But he wants that little’ long — shore” 

The last two words Tol pronounced with 
a peculiar emphasis, causing all to break 
forth in loud laughter, while Tod and Ger- 
trude endeavored to look as unconcerned 
as possible. 

Julia Brown exclaimed when the laughter 
subsided, 

“It is your time now, Cousin Gertrude.” 

Gertrude recited Tennyson’s “Brook.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


127 


When she came to the last verse she raised 
her voice, looked at Tod and repeated, 

“ ‘And out again I curve and flow 
To join the brimming river. 

For men may come, and men may go, 

But you go on forever.’ ” 

The party roared. The schoolmaster 
clapped his hands and laughed vocifer- 
ously. Tod tried to laugh and finally 
added, 

“I go to join the brimming river — for- 
ever. ’ 9 

After the schoolmaster recovered his 
poise he walked up to Julia Brown and 
urged, 

“It is your time, my dear Miss. All in- 
sisted, and Julia facetiously recited a verse 
from the “ Princess .’ ’ 

“ ‘Ask me no more, thy fate and mine are sealed. 

I strove against the stream and all in vain; 

Let the great river take me to the main. 

No more, dear friend, at a touch I yield, 

Ask me no more.’ ” 

The schoolmaster complimented the reci- 
tation and promised obedience. 


The night grew apace. A neighboring 


128 


THE COUNTEYMAN 


boy crept into the chimney corner, crowed 
three times, and ran away. This hint was 
taken. The chickens began to crow from 
every roost, the dogs barked, and the old 
bell-cow lowed in the lot. Soon sweet sleep 
settled on all. The morrow dawned so 
clear there was not a streak of cloud to be 
seen in the bended heavens. The sweet 
south wind blew gently and cooled the 
heated air. 

Tod and Tol gathered of the luscious 
fruits that hung on all the trees and vines 
of the orchard. As the fishponds at Brown- 
field were full of trout and bream, Brown 
suggested that Holman and the schoolmas- 
ter might catch some fish for dinner. 

“What say you, Tod?” asked the school- 
master. 

‘ ‘ I think that one would be stupid to fish 
on such an occasion as this; but you may 
try, Tol.” 

“A fish in the boat were worth two in the 
pond,” answered Tol. 

Taken with the suggestion, Holman en- 
gaged Gertrude to row with him on the 
pond. The schoolmaster took Julia Brown 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


129 


into a boat and they gathered the pond 
lilies and spent the time on the water until 
dinner time. But, alas, all such days must 
end, and their frolic and fun cease forever. 

It is necessary to relate here an incident 
that befell the schoolmaster, and for the 
time being brought some humiliation to his 
dignity and furnished no little laughter for 
the house-party. 

After midnight, when sound sleep held 
the eyes of all save Holman and the school- 
master, the latter said, 

‘ ‘ I am going for a melon, the night is so 
warm . 9 9 

‘ ‘ All right , 9 9 Tod replied, ‘ ‘ that will cool 
us off. You will find one in the orchard .’ 9 

Soon the lusty schoolmaster was return- 
ing with his trophy. Suddenly a bark was 
heard. Tol thought of the bulldog, threw 
down his melon and began to run. The 
hounds were in full chorus. 

“What if they shall cut me offU’ he ex- 
claimed. 

There was but one chance to escape — out- 


9 


130 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


run the dogs and leap into the branching 
cherry tree that stood at the corner of 
Brownfield house. To this Tol ran with 
all his might. Just as he swung into the 
cherry tree the dogs came up in full cry 
and “ treed” the schoolmaster. The fowls 
that were roosting in the branches of the 
tree flew out and squalled with all their 
might to signify their alarm. The young 
ladies sleeping up-stairs excitedly leaped 
out of bed and peered from the windows. 
Fourteen Brown seized his gun and rushed 
to the door. As he looked up a big oak that 
stood out in the clear moon-light he 
shouted, 

‘ ‘ Where is it ? Where is it V ’ 

The schoolmaster yelled out, 

‘ 4 Don ’t shoot, Mr. Brown, it ’s me. ’ ’ But 
the dogs barked so his voice was drowned. 

“It’s the schoolmaster, Mr. Brown!” 
called Holman. 

“What in the thunder is he doing up the 
cherry tree this time of night ? ’ ’ 

“He had to go up it,” laughed Tod. 
“Ah, the sly possum is after one of my 
chickens.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


131 


Brown soon realized the situation, and 
went to his room convulsed with laughter. 
The young ladies could not sleep for snick- 
ering. Tol thought his misfortune greatly 
inconsistent with his scholarly dignity, but 
Tod administered to him all the comfort 
possible whenever he could desist from 
laughing. 

The next day the house-party broke up, 
and Brown seemed to be doubly sad. He 
took Tod and Tol by the hand as they were 
leaving and said in the hearing of all, 

“I’m so glad that you all came to see me. 
Whenever you pass this way, don’t fail to 
call to see your Aunt Sally and the chil- 
dren. When you come again your Uncle 
Brown will he lying out yonder under the 
old peach tree.” 


CHAPTER XIX 


“News for yon, Holman !” was the ex- 
clamation of the schoolmaster after a 
month’s absence from Holman Hall. “Tom 
Hunter has returned. He is telling what 
great discoveries he made in the West.” 

“It would have been a good thing if Tom 
had discovered himself while he was a rene- 
gade from justice,” returned Holman 
dryly. 

“He thinks that he has discovered you, 
Tod.” 

“Ah, well, the story of Tom Hunter is 
the last desperate effort of a man in a 
drama that bodes no good for him. If he 
were a foeman worthy of my steel I should 
uncover myself to him.” 

“Brown affirms that if he were you he 
would face Hunter, demand a retraction, 
and that if he would not make it he would 
knock his teeth down his throat. ’ ’ 

It was apparent that the conduct of Tom 
Hunter was a piece of bluster ; that he was 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


133 


acting upon mere hearsay reports, and that 
the enemies of Holman were interested in 
reporting the idle rumors. Notwithstand- 
ing that, owing to the divided state of pub- 
lic opinion and the prejudice that had been 
engendered by Holman’s plan of coopera- 
tive farming, the idle rumors had been 
magnified into the awful and horrible. 

Tod was calm in the midst of the excite- 
ment. Replying to Brown’s advice im- 
parted by the schoolmaster he reasoned, 

“If I entered into a controversy with 
Tom Hunter I should put myself on a level 
with him. That would dignify him too 
much. Besides, a resort to blows would 
create the feeling that I wished to put down 
by force what I could not overcome by the 
truth. ’ ’ 

The friends of Holman held a consulta- 
tion and agreed that the schoolmaster 
should go to the West, get the facts of 
Tod’s life there substantiated by the best 
citizens, and report them as speedily as 
possible. 

This was assented to by all concerned. 
The journey was made and in one month 


134 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


the schoolmaster made his report. The 
Hunters were on the alert. Tom Hunter, 
chiefly, awaited and watched for the return 
of the schoolmaster. Indeed, he waylaid 
Tol on his visit to Holman Hall after his 
return from the West. Rushing from the 
roadside, Tom called out, 

“You have been out West, have you?” 

“What have you to do with that, sir?” 
the schoolmaster sternly demanded. 

“My character has to do with that, sir. 
You have come back to make me out a 
liar. ’ ’ 

I refuse to allow you, Tom Hunter, to 
put me on the witness stand. The charac- 
ter of my friend is at stake and you ” 

“Your friend has no character,” Hunter 
interrupted. 

“You can’t say that in my presence.” 
The schoolmaster dismounted. In a mo- 
ment he bethought himself and said, 1 ‘ Tom 
Hunter, I refuse to notice you,” then re- 
mounted. 

Tom Hunter was emboldened. He imag- 
ined that fear induced the schoolmaster to 
remount, and followed him down the road. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


135 


Tol quickened the pace of his horse, and 
Tom ran after him, throwing a stick and 
knocking off his hat. 

“If I dismount for my hat, a fight will 
follow.” The schoolmaster reflected. “If 
I ride on, I am a coward, and my friends 
will despise me for not giving Tom Hun- 
ter a thorough drubbing for his imperti- 
nence. But Tom Hunter is not worth a 
whipping. Then, how can I explain the 
loss of my hat? Tom Hunter will carry it 
away and make his boast. I cannot allow 
that. I am resolved.” 

All this ran through his mind like a flash. 
He stopped suddenly and commanded, 

‘ 4 Pick up my hat, Tom Hunter ! ’ ’ 

“Damn you and your hat too!” thun- 
dered the irate Tom. 

Tol dismounted in a second, and rushed 
at Tom. Hunter evaded him, and then be- 
gan backing down the road, the schoolmas- 
ter pressing upon him. Suddenly Tom’s 
heel struck an obstacle and he fell upon his 
back. The schoolmaster paused, saying, 

“I disdain to take advantage of a fallen 


136 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


man, sir. Apologize or accept the conse- 
quences. ’ 9 

Tom leaped to his feet and cursed. The 
schoolmaster shot out his right arm and 
stretched him upon the ground, then said, 

“Now promise me that you will pick up 
my hat.” 

“Never,” returned Tom, rising to his 
feet. 

“Take the worst then,” and the school- 
master delivered another blow that stag- 
gered Tom but did not fell him. Tom had 
learned to dodge. After that he thought it 
best to grapple with the schoolmaster, be- 
cause the length and force of his arm was 
too much for him. But as Tom rushed to 
the schoolmaster the latter seized him by 
the throat and began to choke him. Tom 
gasped and turned black in the face, then 
the schoolmaster relaxed his grip. 

“Now promise me,” he said, “that you 
will be a better man.” 

Tom would not answer. The schoolmas- 
ter urged. 

‘ ‘ Tom, I have you in my power. Promise 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


137 


that you will retract what you have said 
against Toliver Holman.” 

“I told only what I heard,” feebly ut- 
tered Tom. 

“Have you not got enough?” Tol was 
preparing to grip him the tighter. 

“Let me go,” he begged. 

“You are not penitent enough, sir.” 

‘ ‘ I have suffered enough. ’ ’ 

“You talked about Holman.” 

“He is our enemy.” 

“You have insulted me.” 

‘ ‘ I regret that. ’ ’ 

‘ 6 Go, then ! ’ ’ The schoolmaster loosened 
his hold. Tom voluntarily stooped and 
picked up Tol’s hat. Tol thanked him and 
the men parted just as Brown came in 
sight. 

When Brown reported the incidents of 
the fight the sympathies of many were in 
Tol’s favor. Tol spoke but little of the af- 
fair. He was more concerned in clearing 
the reputation of Toliver Holman, and this 
he effected by abundant evidence. It was 
commonly reported and believed that Tod 
had murdered a cowboy when he lived in 


138 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


the West. The schoolmaster showed how 
that report and belief grew out of an inci- 
dent which he related. 

The Indians and cowboys had a fight, a 
matter of no unusual occurrence, since the 
Indians resisted the encroachments of the 
cowboys, and often stole their cattle. A 
band of hostile Indians, led by their chief, 
attempted to capture the cowboys and 
stampede their herd. Failing in this, the 
Indians secreted themselves in a ravine 
preparatory to another attack. The cow- 
boys determined to charge them, and a 
hand-to-hand fight resulted. Tomahawks 
and bowie-knives were used. The men nec- 
essarily got scattered and each one had to 
look after himself. Tod had just fired his 
last round at an Indian, when, behold, the 
chief rushed toward him. When within ten 
steps of Tod the chief stopped and threw 
his tomahawk at him. A slight turn of 
Tod’s head to one side caused the toma- 
hawk to miss its aim, and the two men 
rushed together and clinched. 

When the tomahawk was thrown each 
man drew his knife, and with his left hand 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


139 


clinched the right of the other. It was a 
death struggle, a test of manhood and 
manly endurance and strength. Finally, 
Tod broke the grasp of the Indian and 
plunged his knife into his side. All was 
over. The Indian fell with a groan. 

When Aunt Riney heard this story told 
she clapped her hands and cried, 

“ Thank God, Tod! but I am sorry for 
the Indian. ’ 9 


CHAPTER XX 


The fight between the schoolmaster and 
Tom Hunter intensified the feelings of ev- 
ery one. Many said that the trouble would 
not end with the fight. Rumors flew thick 
and fast. Some reported that the Hunters 
had formed a plot to shoot Holman in 
order to revenge the death of their father. 
Brown met Tod and said to him, 

“It was a fortunate thing that I came in 
time, and witnessed a part of the fight be- 
tween Strickland and Tom.” 

“Perhaps so,” was Tod’s quiet reply. 

“Certainly, for Tom would have told 
that he whipped Tol,” asserted Brown 
positively. “It is already reported that 
Strickland first assaulted Tom and would 
have killed him if I had not prevented it. 
More, the Hunters declare that you and Tol 
have formed a conspiracy to put Jack out 
of the way.” 

“All that is being used in the election, 
Mr. Brown, to gain votes for Jack Hun- 
ter. 9 9 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


141 


“ Little good will it do him, Tod.” 

“I learn also that the negroes will at- 
tempt to hold a nominating convention of 
their own. Will they do it?” 

“A few of the leaders are back of that 
movement, with the view of selling out to 
Hunter’s supporters. A negro puts no 
conscience in his politics, Tod, and less 
knowledge. ’ 9 

“I am sure, Mr. Brown, that in large 
part the use of the ballot in the hand of a 
free negro has been a mockery in free gov- 
ernment.” 

“The negro is not yet free, but a slave of 
circumstances. His politics is a farce, and 
his skin handicaps him forever.” Saying 
this, Brown bade Tod good-bye, then called 
after him, “You must be at the nominating 
convention . 9 9 

I was curious to witness the proceedings 
of this convention, for it was sure to be 
racy in more senses than one. Therefore, 
at the appointed time, in company with a 
few friends, I was present and witnessed 
most that was done. 


142 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


Three candidates had been suggested 
for office. Caesar Battle was made chair- 
man and an executive committee was ap- 
pointed. Battle was tall, wiry, and black 
as a coal. He was regarded as being a very 
nervy negro, and had made some reputa- 
tion as a leading politician. He arose as 
chairman and spoke in a low tone, saying, 
“If any candidate are present, an’ wish 
to make any remarks, he kin do so. You 
know, frien’s, one an’ all, dat we are here 
for a purpose, an’ you know what dat pur- 
pose is. We don’t want no foolishness in 
dis here meetin’. I could talk louder if dar 
was any needcessity, but I don’t consider 
dar isn’t any. Dar is always sump’n in 
de shine of a white man’s face dat kinder 
bluffs a niggah; but dat’s not so wid me. 
I am a man of nerve ’mongst white an’ 
black. Does anybody wish to speak?” 

No candidate responded to this question. 
Then Fourteen Brown arose and said, 

“I wish to make a few remarks, Mr. 
Chairman. ’ ’ 

The chairman was slow to recognize 
Brown, yet he proceeded to speak. Soon it 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


143 


became evident that the chairman was not 
pleased with the trend of Brown ’s speech. 
When Brown spoke in favor of the oppos- 
ing candidate Battle began to rap loudly, 
and called him to order. Brown would not 
heed. Then the chairman stood up and 
repeated, 

“I calls de speaker to order! The Cher 
hates to do a thing of dis kind, but I feels 
it my duty to do it. Mr. Brown is a com- 
plicated gentleman, but he is spatigatin’ 
fur de wrong man. ’ ’ 

The chairman drifted into a random talk, 
when Brown broke forth, 

“Can I make a few remarks 

* ‘ Stand as you is, I will make a few re- 
marks myself,” answered Battle. 

Meanwhile, the executive committee was 
supplied with an abundance of whisky. 
When it was discovered that there was 
plenty of whisky on hand the negroes went 
out one by one to get a share. Thus, while 
Brown and Battle were contending, the 
nominating convention broke into con- 
fusion. The Hunters contrived that the 
convention should end in a fiasco. It was 


144 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


the policy of Jack Hunter to concentrate 
the negro vote on himself. He was opposed 
to an independent ticket, for that would 
divide the negro vote. 

In a conversation with Tod, Brown re- 
marked, 

“ Jack Hunter has made arrangements to 
have all the negroes concentrated at one 
polling place during the election.” 

“If that be done, Mr. Brown, trouble is 
sure to result.” 

“ It is reported, Tod, that arms have been 
secretly provided for the negroes. Besides 
that, you know that every negro who could 
buy a pistol has one.” 

“Yes. Uncle Harbard said that he heard 
a negro preacher tell the negroes that every 
one who did not have a sword ought to sell 
his coat and buy one. That the scripture 
said so.” 

“I should regret a race strife between 
white and black. I have a kindly feeling 
for the negro outside of his politics. ’ ’ 

“They are a child race,” asserted Tod, 
“and misled by the politicians.” 

“I have a patriarchal feeling for the ne- 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


145 


groes. Only the white men of the South 
understand them. They would do more for 
them if their Northern friends would keep 
them out of politics.” Brown ever as- 
serted that. 

“I have observed that politics works a 
cruelty when it forces the races into oppo- 
sition, and I am sure that the cooperative 
system is the way to harmonize the two 
races and promote the well-being of both. 
The white man needs the muscle of the ne- 
gro and the negro needs the brain of the 
white man, and the races must work out 
their problems in Christian relations.” 

This Brown strongly approved, saying, 

< i There can be no race war. An encoun- 
ter between whites and blacks would not 
amount to a battle. It would mean ex- 
termination — hell and damnation!” 

4 ‘ My heart sickens at the thought of it, ’ ’ 
replied Tod quickly. 

4 ‘ Tod, I would defend an old-time nigger 
with my life. But this young generation! 
There is where the trouble comes in. Then 
these ‘high larnt’ niggers despise work,” 


146 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“They need industrial training, Mr. 
Brown.’ ’ 

“I don’t know what will become of them. 
They have been taught to regard the slave- 
holders as their enemies. But look, no old- 
time darky has ever committed the crime 
of rape.” 

‘ ‘ The crime attaches chiefly to the unem- 
ployed,” observed Tod. 

“True. Every negro should be regis- 
tered, and made to give an account of him- 
self. He should be kept at work and away 
from politics. ’ ’ 

“I agree,” assented Tod, “that the ne- 
gro is not yet fitted for politics. I wonder 
if the Northern people will ever become 
willing to repeal the fourteenth and fif- 
teenth amendments ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ It will be a long time before they will, if 
ever, Tod. But if they would that would 
relieve the opposition between the races 
and break the 1 solid South.’ ” 

“I think, Mr. Brown, that the North 
would assent to a repeal but for the fact 
that suffrage is regarded as a manhood 
right. ’ ’ 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


147 


‘ ‘ Another thing, Tod, politics has intens- 
ified the feelings of the whites in the mat- 
ter of lynching. Take the negro ont of 
politics and the savagery of lynching will 
cease. The negro is viewed in two lights. 
He is regarded both as a domestic and a 
political enemy. ’ ’ 

“Yon have expressed the truth, Mr. 
Brown. I hope to see the day come when 
lynchings shall cease and law and right 
become supreme/ ’ 

“I advise against lynchings, Tod. They 
should not be. But if a negro should com- 
mit a rape in my neighbor’s family I should 
help him to lynch him.” 

“You are against lynching in principle 
but for it in practice.” 

“In a case of my neighbor, Tod, I 
couldn’t help from lending a hand.” 

“I see; but after a while it will be un- 
derstood generally that suffrage is not a 
natural right, and then the fifteenth amend- 
ment will fall away as the ripened apple 
drops from the tree in autumn.” 

“I perceive, Tod, that some understand 


148 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


that doctrine now; but the trouble is with 
the politicians.” 

‘ ‘ Certainly, ’ ’ affirmed Tod; “politicians 
have delayed the progress of philanthropy. 
To bring the matter nearer home, the poli- 
tics set on foot in our county is working 
much mischief for all.” 

“You allude to Hunter. I understand. 
We must he on the alert. Jack Hunter 
must and shall he defeated!” Brown 
brought his fist down with energy. 

“Let me ask you about the plot said to 
have been meditated by Tol and me. 
What do you know, Mr. Brown ? 7 7 

‘ ‘ Give yourself little concern about that. 
Hunter’s plot against you is the main 
thing . 7 7 

“Hunter will execute in secret any pur- 
pose of his,” suggested Tod. 

“It would be an easy thing, Tod, to hire 
a negro to deliver a load of buckshot 
through your window at night. ’ ’ 

“That is possible.” 

“The times are troublous, Tod, and re- 
venge rankling in the breast towers over 
every other feeling. ’ ’ 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


149 


“It would not be politics for Jack Hun- 
ter to kill me. ’ 9 

i ‘ The only thing, Tod, that prevents that 
is Hunter’s fear of the Ku-Klux. If you 
were shot the White Caps would ride, and 
woe be to the man suspected of the crime. 
Your friends would have satisfaction. But 
let us not look forward to the worst. I 
must ride; meantime, I wish you well. 
Come to see me at Brownfield.” 


CHAPTER XXI 


Life is not always serious. Now and 
then grim - visaged war smoothes his 
wrinkled front and merry laughter goes the 
rounds. There was a great barbecue at 
Hillsboro. 

Fourteen Brown approached Dr. Long- 
shore as he feasted on a piece of barbecued 
rib. He bowed low with much courtesy, 
and said, 

“I am pleased to see you enjoying your- 
self so greatly. I wish that I could eat like 
a doctor.” 

“You would have better health if you 
would do so, brother Brown.” 

“It gives me infinite delight, Doctor, on 
this delectable occasion to greet you as the 
Prince of Gourmands. When I beheld you 
carving the savory carcass with such dis- 
tinguished skill I almost wished that I was 
a disciple of Aesculapius. ’ ’ 

Dr. Longshore was fond of a joke, and 
the barbecue had contributed to his humor ; 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


151 


he was therefore much disposed to indulge 
the facetious in Brown, and thus responded 
to his gentle raillery : 

4 i I am delighted to reciprocate your com- 
pliments, brother Brown, and I hope that 
your amplitude of belt and capacious 
power of digestion shall be fully tested to- 
day, and that your rotundity shall bear 
away as much barbecued meats as your 
broad shoulders once bore of buckshot on 
the streets of Columbus.” 

“Then my capacity would equal yours, 
my dear Doctor. ’ 1 Brown walked up to the 
Doctor, affectionately tapped him on the 
shoulder, and laughed very heartily. Tol 
Strickland clapped his hands and joined in 
the laugh with Brown. 

Doctor Longshore, still willing to pro- 
long the facetious horse-play, thought to 
hurl at Brown a few medical terms, hoping 
to nonplus Brown on a subject with which 
he knew him to be but little acquainted. 

“I have observed, brother Brown, in my 
peregrinations, that our diseases are often 
sporadic; that many are not epidemic but 
endemic, and that our sicknesses are due 


152 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


frequently, not to atmospheric vicissitude, 
but to our imprudence in mastication and 
deglutition. ’ ’ 

Fourteen Brown cleared his throat, 
winked at the bystanders, affected a little 
sarcasm, and with much slowness and 
solemn dignity uttered, 

4 4 In reply to what you have just said, my 
learned and eloquent Doctor, let me say 
that my diminutive intellect is too incom- 
prehensible to understand your abstruse 
ideas, and I am left in a state of hoc belloni , 
Lapsus Linguae, administrator de bonis non. 
Now, by gum ! what do you think of that f ’ ’ 

The crowd roared. After a pause Dr. 
Longshore recovered from his laughter and 
replied, 

t4 l think, brother Brown, that you have 
suffered a lapsus linguae, and that your 
goods must be administered on.” 

4 4 Well, give me your hand, Doctor; we 
will call it even at that. Have some more 
of this barbecue.” The two men shook 
hands and the feast proceeded. 

The barbecue was held near Hillsboro, in 
a great grove beside the Chalybee River. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


153 


Ponds emptied their waters into the river, 
and boats floated on both. Great oaks and 
giant pines stood in the park. The bays 
and magnolias were in full flower. Only 
the white oaks could compete with the mag- 
nolias in size, and none with them in flower. 
The ponds were skirted with water oaks. 
On islands, in the center of the ponds, the 
weeping willows drooped their long taper- 
ing fronds to the water’s edge. Geese and 
ducks gabbled over the pools, and birds 
dipped their wings in the cooling stream 
and flew away, delighted to have escaped 
an enemy beneath. 

Tod and Gertrude were rowing on the 
pond. As Tod watched the geese swim- 
ming and their shadows accompanying, he 
said with some sadness and a bit of irony, 

“A floating goose reminds me of what I 
sometimes think may be my fate. ’ 9 

Gertrude caught the spirit of his words, 
but without showing any curiosity as to 
what Tod’s fate might be, she simply re- 
plied, 

“You will do well, Mr. Holman, if you 
float.” 


154 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“But to float alone, Gertrude! I was 
thinking of Walter Scott’s lines: 

“ ‘The swan on sweet St. Mary’s lake 
Floats double, swan and shadow.’ 

It is the shadow that I dread.” 

“A man can’t go without his shadow,” 
Gertrude answered. 

“And the shadow will follow woman,” 
hinted Tod. 

An owl hooted in the nearby swamp and 
was answered by a chuckling laugh from 
his fellows. The swallows dipped their 
wings in the water and made graceful 
curves over the ponds. A black bird with 
epauletted wings sang from a bay tree, its 
solitary note awaking a feeling of sadness. 

Tod listened to the bird for a moment, 
then said to Gertrude, 

‘ 1 The lonely songster seems to have lost 
its mate, or it laments the slaughter that 
has been effected to make a holiday.” 

“The bird sings of the slaughter, Mr. 
Holman. The carcasses of the barbecue 
seem to me to symbolize the sacrifices that 
are often made for the well-being of 
others.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


155 


“I agree with you, Gertrude. Every 
sight and sound symbolizes something. 
May I ask you of what are the weeping wil- 
lows emblems ?” 

"Of the mourners who sorrow for the 
slain. ’ ’ 

"Who shall weep for me when I am 
slain ?” 

Gertrude did not care to indulge in senti- 
mental reflections. She splashed the oar 
in the water, saying, 

"Let us move to the other side.” 

No breeze stirred. There was scarce a 
ripple on the lake. The ducks were motion- 
less, or plucked their feathers as they 
stood on the bank. Not a note was heard 
from any tree. Nature seemed to be in a 
listening mood. 

Tod whispered in Gertrude’s ear. Ger- 
trude seemed to be surprised, looked down 
as in meditation, but kept silent. Tod 
scanned her face closely. Then she looked 
up and said, 

"Mr. Holman, I have never loved any 
one. Have I ever done anything to make 
you think that I loved you?” 


156 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“I ventured on my own feelings, Ger- 
trude. I had to free my mind. But the sun 
is paling in the west; the skies look gray. 
Nothing remains to me but to row this boat 
to shore .’ 9 

“And to see me safe at home,” inter- 
jected Gertrude. 

“If need be, Gertrude. But let me say 
further. I sought this place to declare my 
heart to you, right here within your own 
premises, where you are as free as the 
birds that skim your lovely lakes and curve 
about their shores.” 

“1 thank you for your delicacy of feel- 
ing, Mr. Holman, but — ” 

“But, Gertrude, I make one request of 
you, do not tell him about it.” 

“My father, you mean?” 

“Make one exception. I have entrusted 
the secret of my heart to you. No one but 
you has the right to know it. Guard it as 
the Vestal Virgins did the sacred fire. The 
keel is on the shore. ’ 9 

Tod went home wounded in spirit, yet 
his pride sustained him. That which cut 
him most was the impression made on his 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


157 


mind that Gertrude was surprised that he 
had made a confession of love to her. From 
her point of view Tod had no reason to do 
so. Gertrude seemed to have been so con- 
scientious. “Have I done anything to 
make you think that I loved you?” That 
question put Tod in a dilemma at once. 
Either he was presumptuous or premature 
in his declaration of love to Gertrude. He 
felt that he was in a false position or had 
put Gertrude in one. Instantly he acquitted 
her and laid all the blame, if any, on his 
own rash impulses. Another reflection 
brought Tod pain. “How foolish,” he 
said, “I was to put myself in the power of 
a woman before I knew! Why did I not 
wait for the coming event to cast its 
shadow before?” 

Under the smartings of his pride he re- 
solved that he had said his last word. 

Uncle Harbard sought Tod and inquired 
familiarly, 

“Mr. Tod, is you gwine to marry dat 
’oman. I hears so much talk about you and 
her?” 


158 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“Our marriage is rather a remote event, 
Uncle Harbard, I am sure. ’ ’ 

“Well, I want you to git a good ’oman, 
for a bad one sho’ is a torment.’ ’ 

“If you will quit your drinking all will 
go well.” 

“I do drink for my friends, Mr. Tod, an’ 
to see what kind er feelin’s it’ll put into 
mer constitution.” 

“I think that it sets mighty heavy on 
your constitution.” 

“I bin wanting to see you, Mr. Tod; I 
done made up my mind to quit. I done tuk 
warnin’. Be Lord hev spoke to me, an’ I 
done ’beyed His voice. My Mary’s words 
keep soundin’ in my ears. I coudn’t res’ 
t’other night. I never prayed befo’, but T 
prayed dat night. I told de Lord I dunno 
how to pray, but dis is de time to he’p a 
pore niggah. I has worked hard all my 
life. I ain’t had much, an’ I wants to go 
whar my Mary is. Lord, have mussy on 
my pore soul. An’ I tell you what, Mr. 
Tod, de Lord heerd my pra’r. I believe 
in my soul I got sumpin to jine fur now.” 

“I rejoice with you, Uncle Harbard ; for 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


159 


I never could bear the thought that so 
faithful a man as you have been should be 
lost. ’ 9 

Tod felt consoled in part. If he had 
failed to win Grertrude, he felt that Uncle 
Harbard was safe. Meantime, the excite- 
ment of politics and the management of his 
cooperative system of farming would be 
sufficient to divert his mind from the af- 
fairs of the heart. 


CHAPTER XXII 


The skies assumed a gray garb. The 
weather was neither fair nor foul. Tod 
was affected by what he saw and heard. 
Brown had given him warning, and said, 

“Remember, Tod, that Jack Hunter is 
always as fresh from mischief as the green 
gourd is from the vine.” 

“I know that Jack Hunter has set his 
trap for me, and others, but we can catch 
as much game as he can. Let the base ruf- 
fian come on.” 

Tod was preparing to go to Brownfield 
on the way to the election, when Aunt Riney 
accosted him. 

‘ ‘ Tod, I hate these election times. I feel 
so uneasy when you are away.” 

“Uncle Harbard and Honey Bug will 
take care of you,” Tod replied. 

“But these are dangerous times.” 

“Well, Ring will bark and scare the 
boogers away.” 

“You men have so much politics. Talk 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


161 


about women’s gossip, that can’t beat the 
men’s politics.” 

“Aunt Riney, Bartle Massey said that 
God made the men to match the women. ’ ’ 

“You’d better mind what sort of a 
match you make, Tod.” 

“Oh, my match caught afire, Aunt 
Riney. ’ ’ 

“You didn’t light your pipe either?” 

Tod was in a playful mood, and an- 
swered, 

“No, but I got my fingers burnt.” 

“You may count yourself lucky if you 
get nothing burnt but your fingers.” 

“There’s another fire ahead, Aunty. A 
good citizen must look after his country’s 
welfare. I must be at the election.” Tod 
turned and called, “Honey Bug.” 

1 ‘ Sir. ’ ’ 

“Tell Uncle Harbard to saddle Gray 
Eagle.” 

“Let me ride him, Tod.” 

“No, he is not used to boys.” 

In a short time Uncle Harbard came to 
the front, riding Gray Eagle with all the 
pomp and pride of a country gentleman. 

ii 


162 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“Dis here horse knows I’m a-ridin’ him. 
I feeds dis horse an’ he loves me. Yon 
orter seen my ole marster ride. I rides des 
lak him.” 

“Well, hitch Gray Eagle to the post.” 

Uncle Harbard dismounted and began, 

“Mr. Tod, I bin er hearin’ things ag’in. 
I dnnno what’s er cornin’. De chickens 
crowed all night, an’ de ole cow kept 
rattlin’ her bell.” 

“The chickens bothered her, Uncle Har- 
bard.” 

“ ’Twas more’n dat. I got up and looked 
at de seben stars an’ I seed Job’s coffin. T 
heerd a voice an’ I listened an’ it soun’ lak 
de patter-rollers was runnin’ some pus- 
son. ’ ’ 

“Why didn’t you go after them!” 

“I was ’feared to. De dogs would bark, 
an’ dey run under de house wid dere ha’r 
turned back.” 

“Oh, the mules broke out.” 

“ ’Twas wuss dan dat, Mr. Tod.” 

“Couldn’t have been worse.” 

“Yas, sir. After while Ole Ring went 
down in de orchard an’ howled.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 163 

“He must have treed a witch, Uncle Har- 
bard.” 

“Well, dey is witches, but dar was some- 
thin’ wuss dan witches ’roun’ here las’ 
night. ’ ’ 

Uncle Harbard quickly saw that he was 
making no impression on Tod, and changed 
his tone, saying, 

“Take kere, Mr. Tod, you don’t ketch a 
witch. ’ ’ 

Tod humored this remark and replied, 

“If I do, Uncle Harbard, I shall bring 
her to you.” 

“If yer does, Mr. Tod, I’ll draw her 
picter an’ shoot it wid my silver bullet. 
Dat’s de way to git rid of a witch. But 
Mr. Tod I wants you to listen at me. I 
done tole you somethin’ gwine to happen. 
I seed las’ night er lot of niggahs gwine to 
de Nunion League. Dar’s whar dey gits 
de word how to vote. Dat niggah what 
Jack Hunter got hired was noratin’ lots 
’bout de election. He said dat J ack Hunter 
got word straight f’um Gin’al Grant how 
de niggahs must vote. ’ ’ 

“And vote for Jack Hunter?” 


164 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“To be sho’, an’ git a dram too, To dey 
gits to de ’lection place. ’ ’ 

“But you said something was going to 
happen . 9 9 

“Dat’s hit ’zactly, Mr. Tod. Dat niggah 
say dat Jack Hunter gin him er lot of 
money, an’ dat he had bin to Montgomery 
to see Wiley Barber, de man what gits de 
word f’um Gin’al Grant, an’ dat he went 
to Selma an’ seed Jere Haralson. Bat’s de 
niggah what’s gwine to introduce de law 
about de Ku-Klux. He said dat Jack Hun- 
ter is gwine to git even wid dat ’ristocrat 
Tod Holman, an’ dat schoolmaster what 
thinks he ’s too good to let a niggah come to 
his school.” 

“That nigger is beside himself, Uncle 
Harhard. ’ ’ 

“I ’spec he is, but dat’s what he said. 
More’n dat, he said dat Wiley Barber an’ 
Jere Haralson ’vised him to tell all de nig- 
gahs to fetch dey guns to de ’lection to 
shoot de Ku-Klux. Hat niggah say dat 
Jack Hunter gwine to have de Ku-Klux 
’rested when he gits to de legislatur.” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


165 


“Yes, when he gets there, Uncle Har- 
bard. ,, 

“Well, somethin’ gwine ter happen, Mr. 
Tod, des lak I tell you. Dat niggah say 
dat when he was in Montgomery he seed 
Jedge Buster.” 

“Judge Busteed, you mean?” 

“Yes, sir; it soun’ lak somethin’ 
busted.” Uncle Harbard laughed with all 
his might at his own joke, then proceeded. 

“Dat niggah say dat Jedge tole him to 
go home an’ git all de niggahs to vote for 
Jack Hunter, an’ dat if any Ku-Klux both- 
ered him he would send de marshal down 
an’ have a lot of white folks ’rested.” 

“That’s all nigger news, Uncle Har- 
bard. ’ ’ 

“Well, I done tole yer.” 

Holman mounted Gray Eagle and can- 
tered down the road. 


CHAPTER XXIII 


The crisp October air put iron in every 
man’s blood. The election at the court- 
house in Old Ninety-six was at hand. The 
negro vote was the one overshadowing 
cloud. The better part of the whites swore 
that they never would submit to negro 
domination, nor when the negro held the 
balance of power. 

Since the Republicans had been in con- 
trol it had been ordered that the voting be 
done at one place. This, it was thought, 
would give the negroes protection and ex- 
cite their enthusiasm. 

Brown said to Tod on meeting him, 

4 ‘ Since I came to the election I have been 
gathering some information. There will 
be some tricks played, but the end justifies 
the means. We must win at all hazards. 
The negroes will be allowed to vote the Re- 
publican ticket one time. There are three 
polling places. By proper hands, when a 
negro has voted at poll No. 1, he will be 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


167 


escorted to the other two polling places and 
marked. Then he will be paid off. Mean- 
time, he has voted once for the Republicans 
and twice for the Democrats.” 

“How about the purchase of votes!” 
Tod asked this question in all simplicity. 

“Oh,” said Brown, “a nigger has no 
conscience nor rights at the polls. When 
it comes to a fight between white and black 
all is fair in that war. The whites must 
and shall rule. ’ ’ 

The schoolmaster declared that he had 
learned of another trick, and showed two 
kinds of tickets, one printed white for the 
Democrats and one printed exactly like the 
Republican ticket, except the names. 

“I see,” responded Tod. “The negroes 
can’t read, and they easily confuse the 
bogus ticket with the Republican.” 

“Yes,” interrupted Brown, “a Demo- 
crat seeing a nigger about to vote will say, 
'Let me see your ticket,’ and then by slight- 
of-hand will substitute another. Thus, by 
gum ! the negro ignorantly votes the Dem- 
ocratic ticket. ’ ’ 

Tod raised another question. 


168 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“Will not the Republicans watch these 
things ?” 

“They can’t watch everything, Tod; and 
then there are more Democrats than Re- 
publicans. ’ ’ 

“You don’t hope to get all the negro 
votes f ’ ’ 

“No, but we will get many of them.” 

Here the schoolmaster interjected, 
“Much fun is had by outwitting the other 
fellow. ’ ’ 

“Our politics, gentlemen, are very de- 
moralizing,” said Tod. “It will be best 
for all to eliminate the negro vote.” 

Brown and the schoolmaster assented. 

During the foregoing conversation com- 
panies of men armed with guns, and riding 
horses covered with sheets, began to ap- 
pear and disappear. Save for the tramp of 
the horses, their coming and their going 
were in complete silence. 

Some excitement was produced by the 
discovery of a wagon load of guns covered 
with fodder. A few desperate men 
charged the negroes that were near and 
took possession of these arms. 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


169 


Then another event took place. A com- 
pany of men that had been herded were 
marched to the polls, led by Captain 
Holmes. A man approached the head of 
the company and endeavored by persuasion 
to dislodge one. Jack Hunter was stand- 
ing near. In the altercation considerable 
confusion resulted. Suddenly a shot rang 
out, and Captain Holmes fell with a bullet 
hole in his forehead. That stirred the 
wrath of the Democrats. Shots were fired 
from the court-house and from among the 
trees, and the disorder was great. It was 
difficult to know who fired the first shot. 
Jack Hunter was so seriously threatened 
that he withdrew with more haste than dig- 
nity. 

A white man approached a negro, 

“You have voted more than once.” 

“You are a liar, sir,” replied the negro. 

In a moment a half-dozen “billies” came 
out of sleeves. The negro was knocked 
down and dragged out by the heels. 

“Served him right,” said one. “Yes,” 
replied a second, “no nigger shall give a 
white man the lie and live.” All agreed 


170 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


that if he did he should suffer the conse- 
quences. 

After the negro was dragged out runners 
went in every direction. A bell tapped 
three times, a prior arrangement. It had 
been agreed upon that at three taps of a 
bell every Democrat should leave instantly 
whatever he was doing, repair to a certain 
place, and fall into line. Thus in a few 
minutes a thousand white men were in line 
and deployed along strategic points, armed 
with shotguns, rifles and revolvers. Not 
a word was spoken. Then the sheeted 
horsemen rode up. Every command was 
given by feigns, and there was absolute still- 
ness. 

Two thousand negroes were near the 
court-house. Now and then one would 
break away and run as fast as his heels 
could carry him. At last the mass of ne- 
groes began to break up. Then a general 
stampede set in, and the woods became full 
of fleeing negroes and the whites who aided 
and abetted them. 

Order, mystery, silence won the day; 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


171 


otherwise there would have been a general 
massacre. 

The polls were closed and the count be- 
gan. 

Said Brown to Tod and the schoolmas- 
ter, 

“We must stay and see the thing out.” 

The schoolmaster assented, saying, 

‘ ‘ I fear the worst after dark. ’ ’ 

“By remaining we can help to put down 
any incipient disorder,” said Tod. 

“At any rate,” added Brown, “we must 
stay and hear who is elected. ’ ’ 

When the polls closed the most of those 
who had remained after the stampede left 
for home. Some were heard to say, 

“It was a pity Jack Hunter was not 
killed, instead of Captain Holmes.” 

An hour after dark the schoolmaster re- 
ported that men were seen moving about 
in the skirt of the woods, and that he feared 
serious trouble would result. 

The result of the election was uncertain, 
and determined men had declared that 
there should be no count. All at once sev- 


172 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


eral guns were fired. Men looked omin- 
ously at each other. Then another volley 
was fired. 

“Look,” shouted Brown, “they have 
shot out the lights at the polling places ! ’ ’ 

Jack Hunter was sitting on a counter 
in a store, waiting for the result of the 
count. Suddenly the lights in the store 
were extinguished. Men rushed up and 
began to fire within. 

“Don’t shoot, men!” yelled Tod, and 
Brown and the schoolmaster endeavored to 
enforce the same command. 

There was a rush for the door. Men 
crowded in and revolvers were fired. In 
the confusion some words were heard com- 
ing from under the counter. 

‘ ‘ Listen, ’ ’ said Tod. ‘ ‘ I hear the words, 
‘ Widow’s son.’ ” 

The shouts grew louder. 

“Where is he?” Kill him!” shouted 
many voices. 

Brown rushed up and ordered, 

“Stand back, men! There must be no 
bloodshed!” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


173 


Tod and the schoolmaster also ordered 
the crowd to stand back. 

“Is there no help for the widow's son!" 
came from nnder the counter. 

Then Brown, Holman, and Strickland 
leaped over the counter and stood as a wall 
about Jack Hunter. 

“Gentlemen," said Tod, addressing the 
mob, “we will protect this man with our 
lives. Stand back ! Let no harm be 
done ! 9 9 

Brown and the schoolmaster reinforced 
the words of Tod. The crowd by this time 
recognized the voices of the three men. 

“We are Masons and men, gentlemen," 
cried Tod. “Hunter must not be hurt in 
our presence." 

The crowd gave way and the store was 
cleared. Hunter came from his hiding 
place, exclaiming, 

“My God, men, is it you! You have 
saved my life ! I never looked for this. I 
feel ashamed, and I am overpowered by 
your kindness." 

It was a serious moment, yet Fourteen 
Brown could not repress a joke. 


174 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“Hunter,” he said, “I am glad to have 
done you a service. I recognize you as my 
ugly brother. Go, and sin no more. ’ ’ 

“Gentlemen,” responded Hunter, “I 
thank you, each one of you, for your kind- 
ness to me.” 

All agreed that they had simply done 
their duty as men and offered to escort 
Hunter out of danger and to his home. 

That was done, and Jack Hunter was left 
to reflect on the events of the election. 


CHAPTER XXIV 


The events of the election made a great 
noise. Hunter was defeated by the stam- 
pede of the negroes. The blood-letting 
cooled the fever of both parties. Many 
thought that Captain Holmes ’s death was 
as much a result of personal feeling as po- 
litical difference. The conduct of the men 
who saved Jack Hunter’s life had a pleas- 
ing effect. If a life had been lost, a life 
had been saved. Humanity overcame par- 
tisan hate. The effect on Hunter was im- 
mediate and positive. He declared that he 
was done with politics, and that henceforth 
he should devote himself to the cultivation 
of friendly relations with his fellows. 

Men prophesied that there would never 
be another independent race in Pike 
County, and to this day the prophecy has 
been fulfilled. 

The coroner’s jury investigated the 
homicide of Captain Holmes and brought 
in the verdict, “We the jury find that the 


176 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


deceased came to his death by the hand of 
some unknown party.’ ’ There the matter 
was allowed to rest, or left to the reflec- 
tions of the thoughtful. 

On the morrow after the election, Uncle 
Harbard came to the big-house with a 
pleasant greeting for Tod. 

“I’se so glad you got back safe.” 

“Yes, I’m all right, Uncle Harbard,” 

“Was dem de Ku-Kluxes, Mr. Tod, what 
was ridin’ about so yistiddy? Or was dey 
de Free Masons?” 

“They were the Ku-Kluxes — a law and 
order society.” 

“Well, I don’t want ’em to law> me.” 

“They will not hurt the innocent, Uncle 
Harbard. ’ ’ 

“I want to tell you, Mr. Tod, dat a nig- 
gah came to my house las’ night an’ ’lowed 
dat de Ku-Kluxes got after him.” 

‘ ‘ He needed it, I reckon. ’ ’ 

“Well, dey sho’ scared dat nigger, Mr. 
Tod.” 

“What did the Ku-Klux do?” 

“Dey tole de niggah, ‘You bin to de 
’lection, sir.’ An’ de niggah say, ‘No, sir, 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


177 


I ain’t; I don’t bodder wid white folks’ 
bizness.’ An’ den de Ku-Klux said, 
‘ Dance, sir,’ an’ dat niggak he cut de pig- 
eon-wing an’ went through de double- 
shuffle. Den de Ku-Klux said, ‘Lope, sir,’ 
an’ de niggah he started down de big road 
in a mity run. De Ku-Klux shot his pistol 
off an’ de niggah jumped de fence an’ run 
through de cornfield smack down to de 
creek. Den he stopped an’ listened, an’ 
when he heerd a noise he waded plum 
through de creek on de udder side.” 

Tod laughed with Uncle Harbard as he 
told this story, and Honey Bug, who had 
been listening all the while, said, 

“I wish I had seen that nigger run, be- 
cause you all laughed at me so for running 
from the ghost.” 

“You’d better run from de ’lections, 
Honey Bird. Niggahs ain’t got no bizness 
mixin’ wid white folks’ affa’rs. ’Manser- 
pation is ’nough fur me, widout any ’lec- 
tion. But I must go now an’ turn Gray 
Eagle into de pastur’.” 


12 


178 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


On the Saturday following the election 
the schoolmaster came to Holman Hall as 
usual, and said, 

1 1 Tod, I have some news to tell you. ’ ’ 
“Hood,” answered Tod. “I feel as 
though a little news would refresh me. ’ ’ 
“Well, yesterday Tom Hunter sought 
me and said, ‘I wish to be friendly with 
you now. You helped to save my brother 
yesterday, and I have been in the wrong 
any way. Tell Mr. Holman that I took 
one of the paintings from Holman Hall and 
that I shall see that he gets it again. ’ ’ ’ 

“I am glad to hear Tom’s confession. I 
thought that the Yankee soldiers got that 
painting. It is a portrait in oil of my 
grandmother. Good for Tom.” 

“Another thing, Tod. The Ku-Klux 
caught John Mahogany on election day.” 
“The big negro preacher?” 

“Yes. He can stir up more rousements 
than any nigger, and make the nigger wo- 
men do more moaning. ’ ’ 

“He is a sharp nigger, Strickland.” 

“A bold, bad nigger, too.” 

“A slick duck, you would say?” 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


179 


“True. The boys would not have put 
up a job on a good negro. But Mahogany 
was too good a prize to be allowed to es- 
cape. The boys initiated him in due and 
ancient form.” 

“Did they make him dance?” 

“They made Mahogany believe that they 
would kill him.” 

“What else?” 

“They made Mahogany say his pray- 
ers.” 

“Mahogany caught at the chance, I 
know. He has a ready wit. ’ ’ 

“Here is his prayer, Tod, 

“ ‘0 Lawd, here is a whole lot of sinners 
what ain’t got no religion. An’ we ain’t 
got none fur ’em, an’ we knows you have. 
But, Lawd, I want to tell you now, you have 
got er mity big job on your hands. Here 
is some of de worst cases in dis county. T 
want you to do, Lawd, your level best for 
’em. Lawd, don’t let ’em drap into hell, 
but des shake ’em over de pit dat dey may 
’pent an ’ do better. So do, Lawd. Amen. ’ ’ ’ 
Tod laughed heartily when the school- 
master finished, and remarked, 


180 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“Mahogany played the boys trumps, 
Tol.” 

“Certainly, Tod. The prayer took the 
boys off their feet, and because of Ma- 
hogany’s wit they let him off without pun- 
ishment. Mahogany promised that he would 
advise the negroes to let elections alone.” 

After this Tod explained his plans to the 
schoolmaster, who took much interest in 
Holman’s cooperative system. Especially 
was the schoolmaster delighted to see that 
Toliver Holman had coupled the “Three 
R’s” with industrial training in his en- 
deavor to better the condition of the 
negroes and other folks. 

“By my system, Tol, I hope to make it 
impossible for the ‘ Mahoganies’ to travel.” 

“I have no doubt, Tod, that you shall. 
Good-by.” 


CHAPTER XXV 


It was a mild winter. Chrysanthemums 
were abundant and roses of every color 
bloomed in the delightful air. The lion 
in man and nature seemed to have reached 
harmony. The beautiful earth and the 
bended heavens invited to worship. Tod 
was rising in his aspirations to a hope-lit 
tabernacle of faith and love. There was 
just enough of the serious in his life to 
keep him in proper poise. He did not stay 
away from any proper social functions, yet 
when present he did not enjoy his sur- 
roundings as well as he desired to. 

The Christmas holidays were more joy- 
ful than usual. A reaction had set in from 
the dreadful excitements of the election; 
the high-strung bow had relaxed. A great 
change showed itself in the conduct of Jack 
Hunter. Meekness and kindliness were 
manifest in him. He did everything he 
could to make himself agreeable to old and 
young. One of his attractions was a great 


182 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


supper, to which Tod and the schoolmaster 
were invited and Fourteen Brown was not 
overlooked. 

Jack Hunter was “well off,” with broad 
acres, and llocks and herds. Great oaks 
and well-trimmed cedars stood about 
his home. In the center of the garden was 
a scuppernong arbor, and hg trees and 
pomegranates were numerous in the back 
yard. 

in his invitations to his home he fulfilled 
the {Scriptures by inviting the rich and poor 
alike. All classes met in Hunter’s home. 

The table was set on tiie outside of the 
house, under an arbor improvised for the 
occasion. Never before had so many of 
rich and poor sat together at a supper in 
Bike County. {Stands, with light-wood 
blazing on them, furnished light for the 
guests, while the negro carriage-drivers 
stood about and cracked their jokes as they 
awaited their turn at the good things of the 
table. 

The young people did not break up into 
pairs, as the custom now is at social gath- 


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183 


erings, and there were no wallflowers. The 
young men were too gallant to permit that. 

Gertrude, radiant and charming > was 
present with her father. Julia Brown was 
absent, and some taunted the school- 
master because of his “lonesome look.” 
When “Mabel Claire’ ’ was called for and 
sung, Tol did not join in the chorus. That 
attracted the attention of one, who asked, 

“Why didn’t you join in, Tol!” 

In order to humor the questioner, Tol re- 
plied, 

“Oh, I don’t live in the county.” 

Truth to say, his thoughts were far away 
at Brownfield. Julia was there helping to 
nurse a sick father. Indeed, Brown’s ill- 
ness was the one thing that seemed to 
dampen the gaiety of that festive throng 
at Jack Hunter’s. Hunter questioned Tod 
and the schoolmaster with regard to the 
real condition of Brown and expressed 
much solicitude for his recovery. He took 
occasion to renew his declaration of thanks 
to Holman and Strickland. 

“You are my benefactors, gentlemen, 
for life. I have given this supper in some 


184 


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measure to show my kindly feelings, and 
in the hope that it will help to unify the 
feelings of our lately disturbed commun- 
ity.’ ’ 

Holman and the schoolmaster made as- 
surances of friendship, and supported 
Hunter in his hope for unification. 

The festivities at last came to an end, 
and every one went home filled with good 
cheer and a renewed feeling of fellowship. 

The days wore on, and the news came 
that Fourteen Brown was worse. The cold 
that he had contracted had developed into 
pneumonia — the old man’s quick road to 
death. 

Brown had a premonition of his end 
months before it came. He often spoke of 
it to his friends, though his cheerfulness 
did not forsake him. He confessed on his 
dying-bed that the teachings of Tod had in- 
fluenced his life and led to his conversion. 
One day as he lay sick he said, 

“I am on the golden streets now. The 
angels are bearing me up.” 

The golden light was failing in the west. 


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185 


The shadows began to creep in and 
lengthen themselves. Brown murmured, 

‘ ‘ Tod, where is — is ! ’ ’ 

There was a stillness. The river of death 
was rolling on. We shall know no more 
until the last wave breaks on the distant 
shore. 


CHAPTEB XXVI 


The coming in of the new year brought 
with it new cares for Toliver Holman. He 
and the schoolmaster exchanged visits, 
compared experiences, and laid plans for 
the future. The schoolmaster ventured to 
sound Tod by saying, 

4 ‘The skies have cleared a good deal 
within the last few months.” 

“But my responsibilities are increasing 
and the forces that control me are pushing 
me forward. ’ ’ This statement was indefin- 
ite. With a view of dropping a word of 
comfort, Tol replied, 

“I am sure that one cannot be defeated 
of his true destiny.” 

“At any rate, Tol, I shall accept any is- 
sue as divinely ordered, and leave it to the 
stars in their courses to fight for me.” 

“It is said, my friend, that Providence 
helps those who help themselves.” 

The schoolmaster seemed to think that 
Holman would resign himself to inactivity 


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187 


but he had no such purpose, and answered 
him in Milton’s words: 

“ ‘They also serve who only stand and 
wait.’ ” 

“Did not a certain Grecian general say 
that the trophies Miltiades won at Mara- 
thon would not let him sleep?” asked Tol. 

“True. Likewise the thoughts that stir 
in me will not let me rest. There are so 
many things that are not as they should 
be.” 

“But things will improve.” 

“I am pleased to see, Tol, that the awak- 
ening has begun. We have at least a wider 
fellowship. Who would have thought that 
the Holmans and Hunters would be recon- 
ciled to each other?” 

“I wish to assure you, Tod, that the old 
traditions have weakened and that a new 
life has appeared.” 

Tod caught at this thought, saying, 

“I am sure that the true creed is a live, 
rather than a dry-as-dust proposition. 
One can’t fix the true life in words. The 
true faith centers itself in the wider fellow- 
ship and larger vision.” 


188 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“I could not find in fellowship what I 
recently heard Dr. Bangs say, Tod, that 
every time the clock ticked a heathen drop- 
ped into a Christless grave and a hopeless 
hell. ’ ’ 

“The statement, Tol, was purely cere- 
bral; there was neither reason nor Scrip- 
ture for it.” 

“But if men believe that, Tod, why don’t 
they go to the heathen with help ? ’ ’ 

“They don’t realize what they say. The 
dominance of a tradition has suppressed 
the impulses of the heart. The man is 
worse than the heathen that he damns if he 
does not go to him with the good news of 
salvation. ’ ’ 

“That is certainly so, Tod. Besides, I 
am opposed to damnation by arithmetic, 
and calling the nations of the earth 
heathen. ’ ’ 

“A conflagration of burning energy 
shall destroy all such things as you con- 
demn. We need more heart in our the- 
ology.” 

Tod went a little further and explained — 

‘ ‘ The essentials of religion have been the 


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189 


same in every age. Repentance, faith and 
prayer are world-wide. Each man has had 
light enough to leave him without excuse. 
Christ is the light that lighteth every man 
that comes into the world. Every one that 
follows the light is safe so far as his eter- 
nal destiny is concerned.” Tod checked 
himself, remarking, 

“I did not mean to enter upon a theo- 
logical discussion. Let us talk of other 
things. ’ 9 

“I am perfectly willing, Tod; for I 
know but little of theology, and I wish to 
ask you a question. Did Tom Hunter re- 
turn the portrait?” 

“Yes; and the Hunters are doing all 
they can to make things lovely.” 

“They desire to gain all the good-will 
they can. Time, the healer, has wrought 
many changes. There are changes yet to 
come, Tod . 9 9 

“Some, I hope, for the schoolmaster,” 
replied Tod. 

“The same to you, Tod.” 


CHAPTER XXVII 


The winter was past. The plowshares 
brightened in the furrows. Everywhere 
were signs of the awakening life. The 
price of cotton was up, and Tod prepared 
for a big crop. The negroes sang in the 
fields with increasing gladness. The trees 
waved their green glories in token of the 
joy that filled the world. 

After the crops had been “pitched” oc- 
curred the annual picnic in the same grove 
and beside the bank of the same river 
where the big barbecue had been held the 
previous August. 

The schoolmaster and Julia Brown were 
in a boat on a lake fringed by the weeping 
willows. When Tod saw them there he 
suggested to Gertrude a row on the river, 
especially as he had some unpleasant rec- 
ollections of a ride with her on the lake. 

“You love the river, Mr. Holman, be- 
cause it runs away,” said Gertrude. 

This was a reminder to Tod of his con- 


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191 


duct toward lier last August when he left 
her to go home alone. Tod felt the gentle 
rebuke, but he would not assume the de- 
fensive. 

“I like the river because it has move- 
ment. One gets no whither on a lake. ’ ’ 

“You can always get back to the place 
you set out from, can’t you, Mr. Holman ?” 

Tod wondered what Gertrude meant by 
her enigmatical talk, but contented himself 
by saying, 

“I like to advance beyond the starting 
point. There is pleasure in advance.” 

Gertrude became a trifle bolder and said, 

“I don’t like to be moved.” 

“ Perhaps so, but you will consent to be 
moved down the river.” 

“Why not up the river?” 

“That’s against the stream. I do not 
like to pull against the current.” 

“Let us follow the stream, then, Mr. 
Holman. ’ ’ 

If the river symbolized life, it was a joy 
to Tod to be associated with Gertrude in all 
that life. The morning was charming. The 
air was full of odors from the honeysuckle 


192 


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vines and the crab apple trees. The river 
hummed as it flowed, while the majestic 
trees seemed to listen to the music and 
keep sentinel over all the scene. 

Tod rowed the boat swiftly, when sud- 
denly it struck against a snag and careened 
slightly, causing Gertrude to exclaim, 

“Oh! Mr. Holman, I believe that you 
would drown me.” 

“Then you would be sweet food for the 
fishes . 9 9 

“A sweet reflection for you, Mr. Hol- 
man. 9 9 

“For fear of an accident, Gertrude, 
please sit in the middle of the boat with 
me. 

Gertrude obeyed his request and side by 
side they floated on, the oars idle. The 
keel as it cut the water caused a gentle 
ripple. The river rejoiced as it ran. 

A gold finch sang from the top of a wil- 
low tree. A whisper seemed to move 
through the forest as the breeze gently 
stirred the leaves. A divine spirit was 
moving in every leaf. Nature was singing 
in her happiest mood, while Gertrude 


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193 


blushed as she listened to Tod’s story of 
his love for her. 

That was the greatest day of Tod’s life. 
He could not repress the elation that conies 
from a victory won, still he had a feeling 
that Gertrude’s love was a matter of grace 
to him. Her condescension was without 
offense. Tod looked into the depth of Ger- 
trude ’s brown eyes, saying, 

“The brimming river is not so full of 
water as my heart is of love for you.” 

Gertrude was silent for a moment, then 
she spoke. 

‘ ‘ 0 that it shall always be so ! ” 

“As long as you are what you are, Ger- 
trude, it shall be so. If you change, I shall 
always love what you were. ’ ’ 

“I did not know my heart at first, Tod. 
Your troubles interested me, and your 
words awoke strange thoughts within me. 
You have spoken of things too deep for ex- 
pression. I must listen further to the 
voices speaking within me.” 

“The voices of our destiny, Gertrude, 
are summoning us. A new life is opening 
13 


194 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


to me, and, best of all, sweet one, you shall 
share it.” 

‘ ‘ To live and to love, to help and to heal ; 
I feel these things to-day as never before. 
Do not expect too much, Tod. ’ ’ 

“ I think more of what I may do for you. 
I wish to give more than I receive. Yet, I 
am rich in your love. But note, Gertrude, 
how our boat has drifted. The prow is 
turned to the bank of the river. Let us 
return and join the young people in the 
grove. Meantime, the winds shall whisper 
love, the birds shall sing of it, and the lofty 
trees shall shout it to the hilltops and to 
the sleeping vales. 

“I wonder where Tol and Julia are?” 
asked Tod, watching the effect of his ques- 
tion upon Gertrude. She was a little more 
communicative than usual and replied, 

“I hope that they are as happy as we 
are. ’ ’ 

Tod looked the love that he could not ex- 
press. 

Gertrude, dear, sweet soul, her love 
dawned as the morning dawns on the earth. 
She had won for herself a man as pure as 


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195 


lie was strong — with the strength of the 
great oaks that stood about his ancestral 
home. She understood perfectly the des- 
tiny to which she was wedded, and opened 
her heart to Toliver Holman that he might 
know that she was his forever. Like two 
streams from equal shores they melted into 
one. 

They felt the mood of nature about them, 
filling their hearts with peace and love. 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


Let us now return to Julia and the 
schoolmaster, left rowing on the lake. The 
schoolmaster, moved by deep feeling, could 
restrain his great passion no longer. 

“I lay my all at your feet, dear Julia. 
My future is in your hands.” 

Julia gazed into the depth of the clear 
water, saw the shadows of the trees, and 
the images of Tol and herself side by side, 
then she looked full into the schoolmaster’s 
face, smiled, and replied frankly and sin- 
cerely, 

“Our shadows are united in the water. 
That seems to be a symbol of our future 
life.” 

The schoolmaster visited Brownfield 
after he met Julia in May, but things were 
not as they were when the happy house- 
party met there a year before. Sorrow 
had visited the home and mellowed the 
hearts of all — dear Fourteen Brown was 


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197 


gone. Because of the loss of her father, 
Julia felt very lonely. As she and Tol 
wandered about the scenes of a year ago 
they sighed to think that those joyous days 
were gone never to return. 

They stood beneath the evergreen trees 
that bordered the lake on which they had 
rowed so hopefully together. The sun was 
warm. The water lay calm at their feet. 

‘ ‘ Let there be no shadows in our future, ’ 9 
said Tol, grasping her hand. “On the 
brink of this beautiful lake I place my 
hand in thine. Rule in love and I shall 
walk in light and drink the sweet cup of 
joy until my feet shall touch that other 
brink of the far distant sea.” 

Tol helped Julia into a boat, and after a 
delightful glide over the calm waters they 
walked to the house together. 


CHAPTER XXIX 

A great awakening was apparent in Pike 
County. For several years Toliver Hol- 
man had expressed his opinions freely. 
Great changes had come about. The spirit 
of progress, the spirit of fellowship and 
broadmindedness was everywhere mani- 
fest. 

Suddenly Doctor Bottom resigned his 
charge at Hillsboro, and urged that Tod 
should be called as his successor. That 
was an event entirely unlooked for. Yet, 
Tod had no disposition to seek a place in 
foreign parts. He felt that if he had a mis- 
sion in life it was to his neighbors. There- 
fore, when he received the call to Hillsboro 
he accepted it at once, and entered upon 
what he considered his life-work in con- 
junction with the cooperative system he 
was carrying on at Holman Hall. Thus he 
was not only a minister but also a man of 
affairs, and in this double capacity he the 
more effectively helped and influenced his 
fellows. 


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199 


When Toliver Holman delivered his first 
sermon in the church at Hillsboro he faced 
a great congregation. He used the mem- 
orable words of Isaiah, the Eagle of Di- 
vines : 

4 4 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me ; 
because He hath anointed men to preach 
good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent 
me to bind up the broken hearted, to pro- 
claim liberty to the captives, and the open- 
ing of the prison to them that are bound, 
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, 
and the day of vengeance of our God, to 
comfort all that mourn, to appoint unto 
them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them 
beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourn- 
ing, the garments of praise for the spirit 
of heaviness; that they might be called 
trees of righteousness, the planting of the 
Lord that he might be glorified. ’ ’ 

This text was chosen evidently to ex- 
press his spirit and purpose. He declared 
in his sermon that he had no disposition to 
dogmatize, that his purpose was to develop 
rather than merely to enlighten; to illus- 
trate a practical fellowship, and be helpful 


200 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


to all; to cultivate the trees of righteous- 
ness to the glory of the Lord. 

Insisting upon these things he said: 

“We need to have one great purpose, 
and to be brought into one great blood- 
beat as a mighty social assembly, a predom- 
inating principle to direct our efforts and 
coordinate our energies. That principle 
must be love, the golden rule, by which in- 
stitutions will be created, the forms of re- 
ligion determined and moulded into the 
unity of a redeemed social life. 

“We can never be saved by law. The 
spirit of love outstrips all legal institu- 
tions. The church is more a fellowship 
than a mere guardian of traditions. In the 
spirit of Christ, in the spirit of liberty shall 
be brought in and established the kingdom 
of righteousness and good will. The peo- 
ple obedient to this principle shall abide 
forever. ’ ’ 

This extract from Holman’s sermon is 
enough to reveal the spirit of the man and 
the people who supported him in his great 
work. From the day that sermon was 
preached in Hillsboro town the spiritual 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


201 


force of her people increased, benevolence 
became more practical and widespread, 
poverty was relieved, and sorrow ceased 
to be multiplied. 


CHAPTER XXX 


4 ‘ Here is a letter from Cousin Julia,’ ’ 
said Gertrude one morning when Tod was 
visiting Hillsboro. 

Tod read with some surprise : 

“My dearest Cousin Gertrude: 

“My life has been more or less sad since 
father died, and for that reason I have not 
made many visits. Yet I have at all times 
longed for your company and to hear the 
sweet voices of my friends. I wish to see 
you in order to talk of the old times and 
the newer things. I went to the picnic to 
relieve if possible my overburdened heart. 

“When I saw you and Mr. Holman that 
May day in the boat on the river I felt that 
it was bound to be. Indeed, I wished it so. 
The star is rising and will shine the 
brighter because of your radiance. You 
know that we used to talk of your embar- 
rassment with regard to Mr. Holman, but 
happily now the skies are clear and your 


THE, COUNTRYMAN 


203 


duty is plain. You will win friends every- 
where. 

“You remember that you teased me 
about the schoolmaster and that I told you 
that I would never marry him. I thought 
that I should never get over the fun we had 
over him at the house-party. But I am 
over it. He has proven to be so magnani- 
mous that my heart has been won. 

4 4 1 feel now that my life shall be so much 
the happier because you and Mr. Holman 
will soon be made one. He and the school- 
master will supplement each other, and I 
know our family circle will be the pleas- 
anter from our mutual relations. At any 
rate, it seems that I shall have to raise 
chickens for the schoolmaster and we shall 
have some to broil for you and Tod when- 
ever you visit Brownfield. 

“When Tol and I became engaged I told 
him that he should be welcomed at Brown- 
field, and that we would make merry over 
the Hatted calf/ He replied that the sa- 
cred calf had long been an object of adora- 
tion and I am sure that he is. 

“Of course I shall be at your wedding 


204 


THE! COUNTRYMAN 


and you shall be at mine. After that we 
shall go together to the old peach orchard 
and lay a fresh flower on the grave of the 
sacred heart that sleeps within. 

“I am, with much love, 

“Your devoted cousin, 

“Julia.” 

Tod read the letter with evident delight 
for he felt that a double tie would bind the 
schoolmaster and Julia to him and Ger- 
trude. He folded the letter and handed it 
to Gertrude, saying, 

4 4 1 have cast all on one chance . 1 9 

4 4 Chance shall not rule, Mr. Holman / 9 
she replied quickly. 

4 4 Nay, Gertrude, the hope that I have 
won all in winning you shall rise to cer- 
tainty. 9 9 

4 4 And, my brave one, if ever the sun 
shall rise for me at Holman Hall, may the 
fate that made us one keep us true till life 
shall close/ ’ 

Gertrude’s face shone with the light 
that is not of the world. She looked 
so 4 4 clean and clear that the rich blood 
pinked through her cheeks and made them 
look like roses centered in crystal.” 


CHAPTER XXXI 


The eighteenth of June came. Life was 
in its springtide. The whole earth sang 
with her thousand tongues. Low, sweet 
music flowed along the hillside and rippled 
down the crystal streams. The earth, 
warmed by the genial sunshine, teemed 
with flowers and the air was laden with 
the odors of a thousand blossoms. God 
was filling the earth with love and beauty 
and all living things. 

Holman Hall was full of guests awaiting 
the coming of Tod and Gertrude. The hall 
and great parlor were decorated with ever- 
greens and flowers. Canaries sang in their 
cages, while pigeons cooed from all the 
house tops. 

At last Tod and Gertrude came, and were 
met at the gate by the guests and Aunt 
Riney, the latter placid and smiling. There 
was never a happier meeting. After din- 
ner, Julia sat at the piano, and once more 
she and Gertrude sang together “Sweet 


206 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


Mabel Claire.” The schoolmaster looked 
on, listening, drinking in all, happily ex- 
pectant. Finally Tod said to Gertrude. 

“Come, dear, we must go to the back 
porch and let the servants see you.” 

“What, make a show of me, my dear?” 

“Yes, one time I must act the show 
man . 9 9 

Then Gertrude rushed to the rear and 
without Tod ’s escort. 

A chorus of voices broke forth, 

“Howdy, Miss Gertrude!” “Howdy, 
my young Mistiss!” 

Gertrude, in return, called to all, 

“Howdy, howdy!” 

Uncle Harbard came forward proudly, 
saying, 

“I wants to shake hands with my new 
Mistiss. I bin dreamin’ about witches, an’ 
bless God, you must be one, Miss Gertrude. 
I knowed Mr. Tod was gwine to git 
witched . 9 9 

“Well, he ha’nted me, Uncle Harbard.” 

At this moment the servants were called 
to dine and Tod and Gertrude returned to 
the parlor. Within a few hours the com- 


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207 


pany departed and the eighteenth of June 
became a beloved memory of an ideal, 
happy marriage. 

The schoolmaster and Julia were mar- 
ried the October following, and made their 
home at Brownfield. 

Honey Bug regretfully left Holman Hall 
to make his home with his uncle. 

Uncle Si preached his last sermon long 
ago and was gathered to his fathers. 

Dr. Bottom rested from his labors after 
watching for two years the growing useful- 
ness of Tod and Gertrude. He affection- 
ately called them “My children.’ ’ 

Seven years of joy and sorrow rolled 
away. Dr. Longshore has given up his 
practice and now finds his greatest pleas- 
ure in his grandchildren. 

Jack Hunter has grown in benevolence 
and in favor with all men. 

Uncle Harbard lived six years after 
Tod’s marriage and delighted to tell his 
witch and ghost stories to Tod’s first-born 
boy. Faithful to the last, when he was 
dying, he said to Tod, 


208 


THE COUNTRYMAN 


“I’m j’ining my Mary now. Meet me, 
Mr. Tod.” 

The passerby can now see the stone 
erected by Tod bearing the inscription, to 
Uncle Harbard’s memory: 

“A faithful man, 

His works do follow him.” 



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